Charles Freels
Retired Staff Sargeant Charles Kennon Freels, “Kenny,” was released from duty, passed from our ranks, and returned to heaven on Nov. 19, 2024. Services are Saturday, Nov. 23, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and service at 11, all at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. Burial will follow at Poplar Springs Cemetery.
He was born in Crystal Springs on Aug. 14, 1951, and raised in Copiah County where he helped his parents run Crystal Theater. He graduated from Crystal Springs High School in 1970 and enlisted in the Army and completed boot camp at Fort Polk, La., also known as Tiger Land. He proudly served his country for 22 years within the Mississippi Army National Guard within the 162nd Military Police Company and the 112th Military Police Battalion. He was ordered to active duty and served during Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield where he received a Letter of Commendation for his hard work as food service specialist. During his service, he was awarded Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal Ribbon-Triple Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal Ribbon; Southwest Asia Service Medial Ribbon-Triple Bronze Star Device; Humanitarian Service Medal Ribbon-Four Bronze Star Device; Armed Forces Reserve Medal Ribbon-Numeral 3; Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon-Bronze Numeral 3; Army Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; Saudi Arabian Medal Ribbon for the Liberation of Kuwait; Kuwait Liberation of Kuwait Medal Ribbon; Mississippi National Guard War Medal Ribbon; Mississippi National Guard Longevity Medal Ribbon-Triple Bronze Star Device; Expert Badge with Pistol; Marksman with Grenade, Machine Gun and Rifle; and Army Lapel Button.
He showed his faith every day in the way he lived his life – in kindness to others.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jesse Allen Freels; and his parents, James and Maxine Freels.
He is survived by his wife, Micki Freels; son, Jason Freels; daughters, Joy Holmes (Chris), Jennifer Benton (Curtis), and Jackie Abadie (Stephen); 13 grandchildren, Daniel Little (Anna Grace), Joshua Freels (Rylee), Zachary Freels, Alex Holmes, Victoria Benton, Solomon Holmes, Kalyn Benton, Kristen Holmes, Collin Abadie, Madalyn Benton, Cora Abadie, Charlotte Abadie, and Charles Abadie; two great-grandchildren, Arlo Thomas Freels and Persephone Joy Little; brothers, James Freels, Roylynn Freels (Rita), David Freels, and John Freels (Kelli); his favorite sister, Laura (Brad) Marler; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Patriot Guard Riders or Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.
