Joe Bracey Freeman, age 74, of Lumberton, passed away on Monday, December 15th, 2025 at Wesley Pines Retirement Community.  He was born on June 18th, 1951 in Robeson County, NC to the late Lawrence Carroll Freeman and the late Virginia Bracey Freeman.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Vicki Woodle Freeman; and his sister, Judy Carol Freeman. Jesus called Joe and his brother, Lawrence Jeffrey "Jeff" Freeman, home within just a few hours of one another on December 15th.

He is survived by his three daughters, Amy Jo Freeman Rooks (Shane), Caroline Freeman Lloyd (Jody), all of Lumberton and Beth Freeman Powers (Sam) of Wilmington; two sisters, Peggy Freeman Barrington and Linda Freeman Miller, both of Lumberton and six beloved grandchildren, Noah Shane Rooks, Cameron Jase Britt, Colin Joseph Britt, Addison Jo Rooks, Roman James Powers and Atticus Freeman Rooks.

Joe B. contracted Polio at the age of three. His big sister Judy, aged 4, also contracted the disease but sadly, she passed away. Joe B.  lived at The Greensboro Convalescent Hospital in Greensboro for a year where he spent the majority of that time in a rocking bed and in an iron lung. He made the front page of the Robesonian the day he came home and was forever dubbed, "Little Joe". He was Lumberton's March of Dimes poster child and was photographed regularly in a little cowboy uniform walking with March of Dimes volunteers. He learned to walk with braces on his legs and crutches. In 1966, he was granted Honorary membership status at age 15 with the US Army Airborne Electronics and Special Warfare board in Fort Bragg.

He had to have an extremely dangerous (and new) surgery to stop the progress of scoliosis from ending his life. After 9 months in a full body cast, he learned to walk again, demonstrating a determination that would define his life.

On September 23rd, 1969 he met the love of his life upstairs at the water fountain, at the Lumberton Senior High School. Joe and Vicki were married on March 18th, 1973. They "cruised" through life together welcoming three baby girls. Officially known as the "ABC girls". They never wavered on their love and devotion to each other and their girls. Not for one minute.

Joe B. devoted his life to public service and to making the most of every gift God gave him. He began his career in public service as a dispatcher for the Lumberton Fire Department on February 1st, 1971.

On January 10th, 1972, Lumberton Communication combined the Fire department and Lumberton Police Department forming the Lumberton Police and Fire Communications Center. Joe B. became an auxiliary police officer, a requirement that allowed him to dispatch for the police department. He was thrilled to do this, his love for law enforcement and military was one thing his disability had kept him from accomplishing. In 1973, Sheriff Malcom McLeod hired Joe B. to head up his brand new communications department located in the old columned county courthouse. He was entrusted with hiring the department's original staff and became the county's first official Director of Communications.

In 1978 Joe decided to run for Register of Deeds. After paying the $80 filing fee, he won by a landslide and was sworn into office on December 1st, 1980. He served four terms as Register of Deeds for Robeson County.

During his tenure, he maintained a 16 year good standing with IACREOT and The Register of Deeds association. He served as Vice Chairman of the District V Register of Deeds Association, chaired the Cardinal Health Agency Board of Directors for many years, and served as Chairman of an advisory committee for the Mayor's Committee for the Handicapped. He also served on the ADA Compliance Board of Robeson County.

Joe B. was named "Distinguished Citizen of the Year" by the Jaycees club in 1984, and awarded a certificate of appreciation by Robeson Technical College for his support and efforts helping them progress on their expansion. He received a plaque from the Robeson County Bar Association for his tireless effort in the interest of the county. Joe was also honored by the Robeson County Fireman's Association for his public dedication and volunteering.

Joe B. completely modernized the Register of Deeds office, establishing them on computers and having every single deed backed up with microfilm. He also ordered and hung portraits of every single past Register of Deeds to honor them.

He was Editor and owner of the "Celebrate" Bicentennial magazine, which is currently in two time capsules in Robeson County. He was Editor and Publisher of "The Robeson Reporter magazine" from 1998 to 2009, and Editor/Publisher of the Robeson Reporter in the Wesley Pines Reporter (monthly) for the last 2 years.

Many people know him from many different jobs, places and things he accomplished in his life. We would like to thank the staff of Wesley Pines for their love, support and friendship these past years. We would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice for the love they have shown.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

A time of visitation with family and friends will be held on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 from 5:00-8:00PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 East 5th Street, Lumberton.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 3:00PM at Hyde Park Baptist Church with Sam Powers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Wesley Pines Benevolence Fund, 1000 Wesley Pines Road, Lumberton, NC 28358 or to: March of Dimes https://www.marchofdimes.org/about-us .