Richard Lee Macon

Richard Lee Macon Owner of Freeman Macon Funeral Home Richard Lee Macon was born on June 19, 1929 in Midway, Florida to Ruby and Fred Macon. He was the fourth of eight children and a midwife brought him into this world. At the age of six, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida to live with his grandmother Rebecca Johnson so he could attend Finnell, a private school. At the age of seven, he moved back to Midway, Florida. While he was in the 4th grade, his family moved to Delray Beach, Florida. At the age of 15, Richard began his first job selling pins in a bowling alley. His second job was as a bellhop at a hotel.

At the age of 18, Richard joined the United States Army. In the Army, he was the chaplain’s assistant and a corporal (the highest rank at the time). He received an honorable discharge and moved back to Delray Beach, Florida. While in Delray Beach, he became the first black police officer. Six months later, he left the department because he was accepted into Morehouse College and he stayed for three years. He also attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut for two years, where he was one of the few blacks attending the university. He was the only black top pledge Delta Sigma Fraternity. Additionally, he also attended Florida A&M University for three years. Richard received his teaching certificate from Tallahassee, Florida to teach grades 1-12. In 1967-1968, he was a substitute teacher in both Delray Beach and Pompano Beach.

In 1966, Richard moved to Pompano Beach permanently to help his family and his sister, Teresa Freeman. While living in Pompano Beach, he became interested in the funeral home business. He began helping his sister and liked the funeral home business. At the time, he did not have any experience in the business. Therefore, he attended  Miami-Dade College where he received an associate degree in Mortuary Science and General Studies. In 1970, he became a licensed funeral director and started working at Freeman Funeral Home, the first black funeral home in Pompano Beach. 

The original Freeman Funeral Home was located on the corner of Hammondville Road and NW 10th Avenue in Pompano Beach. In 1967, Richard purchased the property where Freeman Funeral Home is now located (738 Hammondville Road/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd).    During the early days of his business, the local families would ask    Richard to bury their loved ones and offered their houses or property as payment. Although most funeral homes accepted family property, Richard would refuse to take the property because he felt it was best for families to keep their homes. In the meantime, he buried a lot of people for free.

Richard met and married Patricia D. Hester and to this union five children were born. Richard will be sadly missed by his devoted and loving children: Richard Macon (F Diane Bray) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL;  Mary Ruth Scott (Harold) of Powder Springs, GA; Anthony Macon (Relica) of Orlando, FL;  Brian Macon (preceded him in death) of Delray Beach, FL; and Eric Macon (Natalie) of Port St. Lucie, FL.

He also leaves his loving grandchildren: Alcolya (Sonny) St. Juste of Lake Worth, FL; Kashonda (Jessie) Burton of Atlanta, GA;  Aiesha (Michael) Charles of Lake Worth, FL; Charkaia Macon of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Erica (Lawrence) Hood of Powder Springs GA;     Whitney Scott of Powder Springs, GA; Marissa Macon of Powder Springs, GA; Latisha Macon of West Palm Beach, FL; Lamar Macon of West Palm Beach, FL; Monique Macon of TX; Annika Macon of   Orlando, FL; Aaron Macon of Orlando, FL; Arkeisha Macon of TX; Rashad Turner of Boynton Beach, FL; Brian T. Macon of Lake Worth, FL; Shacora Macon of Lake Worth, FL; Natrone Macon of West Palm Beach, FL and a host of loving great grandchildren. 

He leaves his Brothers: Anthony Macon, Henry Macon, Berdell Macon (preceded him in death)  Sisters: Maggie Johnson, and Freddie Smith (preceded him in death) Two Loving sisters Teretha Freeman of Delray Beach, FL; Geneva Macon of West Palm Beach, FL; A host of loving nieces and nephews: Brad Johnson, Bruce Williams, Glen Freeman, Cynthia Floyd (preceded in death) Ruby Kaye Moss, Phyllis Hollis, Delores Macon, Allison Hunt (preceded in death), Dana (Roger) Worthy, Avis (Larry) Lott, **Panky**, Henry Macon, Bernita Macon, Emory Owens and a host of great nieces and nephews.

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