May 30, 1936 - July 24, 2025
James Fredrick “Freddie” Ezelle passed peacefully at home on Thursday, July 24, 2025. He was born to Willie George and Junie Ezelle on May 30, 1936 in Decatur, Mississippi. His mother gave birth to him in the home he was raised in. Freddie graduated from Stratton High School in 1955 and after graduation he enlisted in the 186th Air National Guard. After four years in the Guard, he enlisted in the United States Army. In 1960, Freddie met his wife of 64 years, Betty Carol Banks and they married on June 23, 1961. He left the service in 1961. They lived for a while in Gulfport, Mississippi where he sold insurance and they moved back to Decatur, Mississippi in 1965 where they lived and raised their two children, Darlene and Michael (“Mike”).
Freddie is survived by his loving wife, Betty Carol Banks Ezelle; his daughter, Darlene Monsour (David); and his grand-daughters, Kristin Cowan (Charles) and Kayla Van Zandt (Spencer); and his great grand-daughter, Rosemary “Rosie” Catherine Cowan.
Freddie is also survived by his three brothers, Ray Ezelle (Bobbie), Lynn Ezelle (Marie),Tony Ezell (Linda); his sister, Sue Ezelle Garvin (James); and a very special sister - in - law, Jane Boswell.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie George Ezelle, Junie Addy Ezelle; his infant sister, Junie Ruth Ezelle; and his beloved son Mike.
Freddie was known for being an avid outdoorsman. He bred and trained coon hunting dogs, participated in coon hunting tournaments while riding his mule, and displayed trophies throughout his home demonstrating his prowess in the outdoors. After a 30-year career with La-Z-Boy, you could find Freddie hunting, fishing, piddling in his wood shop, and tending to his garden (particularly his watermelon harvest). Anyone who knew Freddie understood he was meant to be outside.
More important than his love of all things outdoors, Freddie loved the Lord, and he loved his church. He was a member of Erin Cumberland Presbyterian church from 1947 until his passing. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 Freddie recognized that the church was the “household of God” and “a pillar and buttress of the truth.” In recent years Freddie was honored as having the longest standing membership at his church, 78 years. As a member of his church where he taught Sunday school, he served as an elder from 1973 to present time. Freddie was known to the youth at his Church as the “candy man” and never came to church empty handed. He loved and cherished its long standing ministry for children, Camp Bailey. Freddie volunteered for camp cleanup and helped prepare meals for the children, including his grandchildren, Kristin and Kayla when they were campers.
Freddie deeply loved his community. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and loved to fix things. He exuded love to all those that knew him. His love of the Lord, his family, and his community will be missed by so many and will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. His infectious laugh and loving smile lives forever in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.
Visitation was held Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Erin Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Union, Mississippi at 1:30 p.m. with service following at 3 p.m. He was laid to rest where he wanted to be, beside his son Mike, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Erin Cumberland Presbyterian Church in honor of Freddie.
The address to the church is 590 Pete Freeman Rd. Union, MS. 39365
Milling Funeral Home of Union was in charge of the arrangements.
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