Freddie D. Sumblin

Published 8:00 am Friday, December 3, 2010

FRANKLIN—Freddie Douglas Sumblin, 66, died Dec. 1, 2010, in his home with family.

Born in Southampton County, he was a son of the late Richard Sumblin Sr.

He was a retired pipefitter from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth.

During Freddie’s early years, he attended White Oak Spring Baptist Church, while a member at Ebenezer Baptist Church. In 1998, he joined his wife in founding Touch Christian Church in Boykins.

For many years Freddie was faithful to this ministry (always getting up early and going to the church to make sure it was cleaned, well heated and all electric and plumbing services were working). Freddie continued to be devoted to the ministry even after the ministry became a “Church on Wheels” Outreach Ministry until his health failed him.

Freddie was affectionately known as “Da,” “Watson,” “Gray Boy,” “Frog,” “Minute Man,” and “Walkin’ Man.”

Freddie was predeceased by his oldest son, Fred Anthony Boykins.

He was a humorous and friendly person. He loved people and always had jokes. He was always helping someone in need. He might not have come when you asked him, but he would always show up and get the job done.

He was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Earva Lee Jones-Sumblin, five daughters, Lynnora F. Sumblin of Franklin, Angel L. Sumblin of McDonough, Ga., Shemeka Lowe, Franklin, Terri Farrington, Durham, N.C., and Pamela Taylor of Richmond; two sons, Douglas Sumblin, McDonough, Ga., and Justin C. Sumblin, Franklin; seven grandchildren; mother, Violet Gray Sumblin, Franklin; six brothers, Richard Sumblin Jr. (Rosette), John Sumblin (Doe), North Carolina, Earl Sumblin (Frances), Robert Sumblin (Paulette), Dennis Sumblin (Mona), Edward Sumblin (Carla) and a special brother/friend Robert Eley Jr. (Betty), all of Franklin; two sisters, Edna Sumblin of Newport News and Violet Sumblin Goodman (Chris) of Virginia Beach, brother/sister-in-laws, Hayward Jones (Carrie), Franklin, Coybern Jones Jr. (Linda), College Park, Ga., Virginia Jones-Mason, Rockville, Va.; three aunts, Evelyn Jenkins and Shirley Funches, both of Courtland, and Betty Council, Suffolk; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Engram Funeral Home on Armory Drive, Franklin. Burial will be in Southview Cemetery.

William Engram Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.