Mr. Freeman Louis Sands Sr.

Freeman Louis Sands, Sr. was born on August 8, 1938, the second child of six born to the late James Stanley Sands and Rosa Lee Holland-Sands. He departed this life after an extended illness on September 25, 2022. Freeman grew up in the Bushy Park area of Cooksville, Maryland, and despite humble beginnings, his life story would become a testament to the power of education and opportunity. His first four years of elementary school education took place in private homes with community-based teachers. For fifth and sixth grades, he attended a four-room schoolhouse in Cooksville, followed by grades seven through twelve at the Harriet Tubman High School, where he graduated in 1956. Like many young black men of the time, Freeman was headed for a postgraduate life in agriculture; in fact, for years he raised pigs at his family’s home. However, this life trajectory would change at Harriet Tubman High School because of the mentorship provided by devoted educators: Principal, Dr. Silas E. Craft, Sr.; Vice Principal, Elhart E. Flurry; science teacher, Nathaniel Gibson; track coach, Franklin Beaird; and guidance counselor, Virginia Randolph. These inspirational individuals instilled a belief in Freeman that education would provide him limitless opportunities. As a result, in 1956, he matriculated at Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland. During his freshman year at Morgan, Freeman received his first of many accolades, the “Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award”; and following in the footsteps of Dr. Craft and Reverend Douglas B. Sands, his cousin, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. After working for years as a published research chemist and supervisor with the State of Maryland’s Mental Hygiene Administration, Freeman would return to Morgan to pursue a second degree; his intent was to fulfill his desire for career advancement opportunities. He graduated in 1974 with a Master of Business Administration degree, and he capitalized on this achievement with two managerial positions--ultimately retiring in 1993 from Clifton T. Perkins Hospital where he served as Assistant Superintendent. He also used his natural sales abilities in the real estate industry for over 20 years, beginning this part-time career with Grempler Realty, Inc. and ending with Long & Foster Realtors. Freeman married his high school sweetheart, fellow Cooksville resident and Morgan State College student, Martha Marie Boone, in June of 1961. As an inductee of the Alpha Delta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she and Freeman were affectionately known as a “first couple” because their respective organizations were the first two founded of the “Divine Nine”. They raised two children, Deidre Sands-Montgomery and Freeman Louis Sands, Jr., and they count among their many blessings, a host of friends; to name a few, through thick and thin, they could always rely upon William Warren Stanton and Joseph and Catherine Dorsey. A man of faith, Freeman attended Mt. Gregory Methodist Church in his youth, but he later became an active member of Full Gospel Baptist Church, where he served as a Trustee. In addition to his commitment to the Lord, he also fully embraced a call to community service. His volunteer resume included a diversity of organizations and roles within them: Scoutmaster, Troop 846, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Progress Ten; Member, Howard County Commission on Aging; Life Member, NAACP; Life Member and former President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter, Columbia, MD. A lover of the great outdoors, Freeman was also an avid fisherman who always had a good tale about the one that got away, a hunter who bred his accomplice beagles, and a gardener who planted lots of cukes. Freeman bravely battled significant health issues for many years. He went home peacefully on Sunday, September 25, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha; his children, Deidre Sands-Montgomery (Louis) and Freeman Louis Sands, Jr. (Daniel); his grandchildren, Louis (Trey) Montgomery, III and Alexander (Alex) Freeman Montgomery; his two sisters, Audrey Avery of Charlotte, NC and Sandra Smith of Baltimore, MD; his brother, Calvin Sands of Columbia, MD; Charles Boone, Jr. (Paige) of Culpeper, VA; Wayne Butler (Natosha) of Baltimore, MD; Ralph Washington (Cecelia) of Waverly, NY; and Sis Shirley Dorsey of Marriottsville. Other family members and friends, please know that Freeman loved you all. He would give you a cute special name, take you on fun journeys, help you with schoolwork, or just make you laugh. To the young'uns who blessed his life, you will always be remembered: Shelly, Anita; Darryl and “Tara Buttons”; “Chirpy” and “Caudry”; Dawn; Shernoa and “Bumpsy”; Selina; Quinny, Danielle, "Tow Joe”, and Timmy; Ricky, Branden, and Brandon. To Alpha brothers Harry, Calvin, Chris, Ken, and David, to name a few, know that you will hold a special place in his heart--wherever he may rest. He loved you dearly, and you all knew that you should never give him a mic! Freeman Louis Sands, Sr., you are greatly LOVED. ♥ The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 9, 2022, from 2 to 5pm at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road in Sykesville. The Funeral Service and Interment are private at the convenience of the family. The funeral service will be available livestream at www.haightfuneralhome.com

Mr. Freeman Louis Sands Sr.

August 8, 1938 - September 25, 2022