NATCHEZ — Services for Marvin C. Freeman, 79, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at his residence, will be 10 a.m. today at Natchez Church of God with the Revs. Steve Bullion and A.D. Gammill Jr. officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Freeman was born March 6, 1928, in Smithdale, the son of Claude and Ernie Holland Freeman. He helped establish Sunday schools and a Serviceman’s Center in Nuremberg, Germany. He also helped establish Dentsville Church of God in Dentsville, S.C. He was a lay minister in several surrounding counties. Mr. Freeman taught Sunday School over 20 years, served on the pastor’s council and worked in the prison ministry for 11 years at the Natchez Church of God. He also worked at several local retail businesses.

Mr. Freeman was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Beulah Burlison; and brothers, Earl, Jim and Denver Freeman.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah C. Freeman of Natchez; sons, Curtis R. Freeman and Lester W. Freeman and wife, Sharon; daughters, Karen F. Rouse and husband, George, and Gail F. Kirkland and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Brad Hall, Chandler Hall, Ashley Freeman, Hayden Kirkland, Caroline Freeman and Abagail Kirkland, all of Natchez; sister, Burdia Rea Runnels and husband, Jimmy, of Big Sandy, Texas; special double first cousin; Hugh Freeman of Natchez; many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Tim Runnels, Mike Runnels, Cecil Burlison, Lane Freeman, Charles Freeman and Howard Freeman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Burlison, Ronnie Runnels, Glenn Joy, Pete Burlison, Ray Freeman, James Hinson, Lee Sims and the Pastor’s Council of Natchez Church of God.

Memorials may be made to the youth fund at Natchez Church of God or Hospice Ministries, 317 Highland Blvd., Suite S, Natchez.