SSG FREDDIE LEON BILLINGSLEA, U.S. ARMY (RET.), 78, of Lanett, Alabama, gained his wings into eternal rest on September 16, 2026 at East Alabama Medical Center-Lanier, Valley, AL.

Public viewing will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. EST at M.W. Lee Mortuary, 1304 East 10th Street, West Point, Georgia 31833.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 12:00 noon EST at St. John Baptist Church, 820 Cherry Drive, Lanett, Alabama 36863.

The final resting place will be Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 SR 165, Fort Mitchell, Alabama 36856, on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. EST.

SSG Freddie Leon Billingslea was born in Lanett, Alabama on January 28, 1948 on a colder than normal winter day to Ernest and Sadie Billingslea. Living on a long and dusty road near Lanier Farm, across from what is now Spring Wood School; Freddie’s parents, along with their young children, Marion Louise and Ernest Jr. welcomed him into the family.

Freddie and his siblings Louise, Ernest, Peggy, Lamar, and Donnie were all reared to attend and participate in the service of the Lord. In their early years of growing up, church services were held twice a month, but for the Billingslea clan, they attended church every Sunday, twice a month at New Zion Baptist Church and twice a month at St. John Baptist Church. Freddie joined St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. C.C. Cloud.

Freddie would go on to graduate high school in 1965, and along with his best friend and classmate, the late Harrington Fitzpatrick, move to Detroit, where they both worked at Chrysler Motors. In 1968, these two buddies volunteered for the United States Army. Freddie served for 23 years in the Army and the Alabama National Guard. Upon his return from the military, Freddie entered West Georgia Tech and completed several certifications, including a certification in cable installation. In 1975, Freddie became the first African American to work for LaGrange Cable TV Company. Before leaving the public workforce, he also worked for The City of LaGrange, in the customer service department. In 1994, he stepped out on faith and became a successful entrepreneur (owner of Southside Market, Freddie’s Lawn Service, and Handyman Service). Upon fully retiring, Freddie spent a short period of time working for the LaGrange Housing Authority in their facilities department.

Freddie married his love, his friend, and his sister in Christ, Etta Evonne Anderson. In 1976, they were blessed to become proud parents of twin daughters, Felicia and Fecelia, who joined their siblings, Rhonda, Greta, and Tino, completing their loving family. Freddie took tremendous pride in each of his children and always encouraged each of them to reach for the stars. Their accomplishments brought him great joy, and he never missed an opportunity to proudly share their successes. He would often say, “All of my kids have made me proud.” And proud he was, to be a father of a GA State House Representative, a Police Chief, a renowned seamstress, a corporate executive, and a college professor. While he celebrated their accomplishments, Freddie’s greatest pride was simply in the people his children had become. Each of them carried a special place in his heart, and together, they were among his greatest blessings and proudest legacies.

This quiet soul never forgot his Christian roots, always remembering: Respect, Honesty, and Kindness instilled in him by his parents. A man of great faith, his favorite Bible verse, Psalms 9:9 – the Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in the time of trouble sustained him through his illness and his trials and tribulations.

His faith remained with him up to the day he received his angel wings, when our Savior called him home on September 16, 2026.

He is survived by his wife, Etta; his daughters: Rhonda Taylor; Greta (Reginald) Maddox; Felicia (Chris) Chachere; Fecelia (Ahmed) Holt; and his son, Sammarintino Billingslea; his sister, Louise Washington; his brother, Donnie Billingslea. His grandchildren: Lashandra Maddox, Trinity Holt, Xaria Holt, Cristiana Chachere, DeAndre Peay, Devan Burden, Bernard Maddox, Shia Holt, and Christopher Chachere. His two great-grandchildren: Ireonna Peay and DeKari Peay. Four God children: Whitnee Troutman, Chan Pittman, Frederick Brooks, and Rea Everett. His sisters-in-law: Mary (Albert) Gilliam, Martha Atwater, Laura Gasden, Martha Billingslea, and Edith Billingslea; a special cousin, LaRuth Buchannon; blessed with two bonus families: Rev. Charles Trammell Family and The Harmon Family; and a host of amazing and supportive cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends

Professional services entrusted to M.W. Lee Mortuary.