John Velton ‘Charlie’ Freeman

Posted on May 13, 2020

John Velton Freeman, also known as “Charlie,” passed away May 3, 2020 in Tallahassee.

He was born April 29, 1983, in Gainesville to John Velton Russell and Marti Freeman.

Charlie attended Westside Baptist Church. He loved creative writing, playing Madden, music and was an avid body builder.

Charlie was a loving father, son, brother and friend.

He was preceded in death by: his great-grandparents, George Velton and Lula Cox Dice; grandmother, Bonnie “Granny Bunny” Dice Bell; and his step-brother, Tomas Alvarez.

Charlie is survived by: his son, Adon Gaston; his fiancé, Misty McKenzie, and her children; his father, John Velton Russell; his grandparents, William Henry “Bud” and Coretha Russell Jr.; his brothers, Jacob Russell, Eli Russell and Vincent Russell; and his uncles, Jeff (Jessica) Russell and Jerry (Kristie) Russell; as well as a host of cousins including Chelsea, Jenna and Morgan Russell.

A celebration of life will be announced later due to the pandemic and our current situations in the community.

Poem written by Charlie:

“In my quest I see true

Many versions of myself,

I find myself, beside myself, God can I be someone else?

Yet in the dark all alone I don’t even know myself.

I know a single feather does not create flight,

And in the darkness eyes won’t shine from a photon of light.

There was good and bad,

I’m losing my own sight.

The fact is we are all at war although it goes unseen,

The mixture of light and black,

The grey chaos in between.

Much as sea erodes the shore,

The balance goes unseen…”