Dr. Arthur Linton “A.L.” Freeland, 74, of Sylvania, passed Saturday morning, Jan. 8, 2022, at his residence.

A.L. was born in Dublin, Georgia, to the late Raymond Mancer and Mary Lane Harville Freeland and graduated Class of 1965 from Dublin High School. While pursuing his AA degree at Middle Georgia College, he met the love of his life, Jewelle, in his second quarter on campus. He would go on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia Southern College, and then his doctorate from the University of Georgia.

He began his career as a history teacher at Claxton High School, where he was chosen as STAR Teacher twice. His first administrative position was as principal of Annie Daniels Elementary School on Millhaven Plantation. That was followed by principalships at Effingham County High School and Jasper County High School, then teaching positions with both South Georgia College and Saint Leo University while living in McIntosh County, Ga.

The family returned to Screven County in 1985, where he accepted a position as principal of Central Middle School. He would oversee the transition from CMS to Screven County Middle School and its new campus on Friendship Road. He was a tireless champion for teachers at SCMS, particularly in the creation of the “A Walk Through Time” living history project, which garnered accolades from the National Middle School Association and would go on to serve as a model for other schools.

After his retirement in 2003, he became a member of the Screven County Retired Educators and Georgia Retired Educators and remained a lifetime member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. He was later honored with the establishment of the A.L. Freeland Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at SCMS.

During his long career, he mentored countless educators, many of whom became dear and lifelong friends.

He was a long-term board member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Sylvania Rotary Club and a member and deacon of Little Horse Creek Baptist Church. His love for woodworking led him into furniture making, boat building, and many hours building muzzle-loading rifles with other enthusiasts. He shot competitively for many years and was a longtime member of the Carolina Po Boys Muzzleloaders. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, as well as the National Muzzle Loading Rifle association, where he served as Territorial Representative and won three national championships in the off-hand flintlock pistol competition.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, gardening, restoring Ford and Farmall antique tractors, and spending time with friends and family in his workshop, where a project was always underway. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, dry and insightful wit, and self-effacing manner. He was a voracious reader, a history scholar and a masterful storyteller.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Jewelle M. Freeland; a son and daughter-in-law, John C. and Kelly S. Freeland of Hague, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann F. and John P. Trapp of Evans, Ga.; and grandchildren, Katherine F. and Bryce Youmans of Clarkesville, Tenn.; Alex Freeland of Hague, Fla.; and Clayton Tanner of Sylvania, Ga.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday morning, Jan. 13, 2022, at 11 a.m. in the Screven Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Jim Cheyne officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior at the gravesite.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Briar Creek Boatworks crew, the Friday Lunch Club, the Carolina Po Boys Gun Club, the Sylvania Rotary Club, and Screven County Retired Educators.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home, Screven Chapel, is in charge of all arrangements.