TAMPA, Fla. — Robbie L. Freeman, longtime president of Phenix Supply Co., died Sunday after a brief illness. He was 69.
Freeman was born Nov. 24, 1947, in Sandersville, Ga. The son of a Methodist minister, he lived in various towns throughout South Georgia. After graduating from Georgia Southern College, he served in the U.S. Army before moving to Atlanta.
He began working for Phenix Supply Co. in 1972, and served as the company’s president until 2013. During his 45 years in the drycleaning industry, Freeman served on the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) Board of Directors for 12 years and as TCATA president in 1996-98. In 2005, he was honored with the association’s J. Morry Friedlander Award for Outstanding Dedication and Service.
Freeman is survived by his parents, Ramus and Betty Freeman; his wife of 46 years, Pennie; siblings Karen Watson, Steve Freeman and Kristi Fuss; children Brandon Freeman, Jimmy Freeman and Alyson Freeman; a granddaughter, Evelyn Freeman; and many other relatives.
The Freeman family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Eastern on Monday, March 13, at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, with a service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Blount & Curry Funeral Home – Carrollwood Chapel in Tampa.
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