FREADY LEE JIMMERSON

Reflections

Mr. Fready Lee Jimmerson was born on April 6, 1925 in Eddy, Texas to the union of Jesse J. Jimmerson and Elizabeth (Jones) Jimmerson. He was the eleventh child overall and fifth son born into a loving, hardworking and God-fearing family.  Early in life Fready developed an appreciation for gospel music: Thomas Dorsey, the Canton Spirituals, Mahala Jackson, The Sensational Nightingales, as well the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi were a few of the groups and individuals he enjoyed listening to most. He enjoyed singing and when he and his older siblings were not picking cotton in west and central Texas, he could be found putting a few notes together and humming a few bars. Fready would later team with his brothers Floyd and James along with family friend Albert Jenkins to form a quartet that was well received in Temple and around central Texas.

 An industrious and forward thinker early in life, a young Fready found no pleasure in the common work of picking cotton during the late 30s – 40s. Unlike his older siblings Ellie, Willie, George and Floyd, who could pick 500 lbs or more in a day, Fready would spend hours talking to family friend and future ‘sister-in-law’, Eunice Maderist, about life beyond the cotton fields and singing. Their conservations about the future would often be interrupted by his father,  Mr. Jesse, who would take a few cotton stalks to young Fready. Following the harvest season Fready and his siblings attended the local school and when the family moved to Temple, all the Jimmerson children attended the local elementary and Dunbar High School for Colored children, where Fready and George excelled in football.

Eager and equally anxious to get out the cotton fields, but fully understanding the importance of having an honest source of income, Fready landed a job at an ice-cream packing compantwith the assistance of his brother-in-law Giggs Allen, Fready landed a job at an ice-cream packing company and later with Dr. Pepper. This employment allowed Fready to contribute to the family income during the difficult post-depression era and equally important, he was out of those dusty cotton fields. 

Seeking viable employment opportunities, Fready headed west to join brothers Willie, George and James in the late 40s. A temporary illness forced Fready back home for several months.  However, having experienced the west, inhaling the air, and the roar of the surf as well as the opportunities, which differed from the south, Fready knew it was only a matter of time before he returned to California.  He did return, landing a job on North Island and with the local Parks Department, which allowed the always stylish and dapper young man to dress to impress and send money home to his family.

In the fall of 1951, Fready entered Barber College in San Diego, tackling the rigorous requirements to master the skills to become a Master Barber and own his own business.    

Taking the advanced course, which addressed several key functions of owning and operating your own business, Fready eagerly completed all phases of Scientific Barbering, including Bacteriology, Anatomy of the Upper Body, Histology of the hair and skin, and the Scientific Manipulation of the Muscles of the Head and face. He was awarded his barber license on February 15, 1952.

Following stints in a few established barber shops, Fready launched his own barbering business, a business he would own and operate for the next 40 years. 

In the spring of 1959, the young entrepreneur, who was becoming well established in the city, was introduced to the future Mrs. Fready Jimmerson in the person of Mary Alice Rogers, a Kentucky native who ventured out west for meaningful employment to put her degree from Louisville University to work. 

The two became almost inseparable and were quite the dashing and fashionable pair. They were married on June 10, 1961, and would remain so for the next 53 years until Mary Alice passed in February 2014 after a long illness. No children were born to this union, however; Fready & Mary Alice mentored, encouraged and supported dozens of youth in their neighborhood and across the city.  

Besides the Barbershop, the dynamic couple owned and operated a Board & Care Home for the mentally and physically challenged, became involved in real estate, purchasing and selling several properties,all while attending school to complete educational requirements and graduate degrees.

Fready earned his High School Equivalent and Community College credits from San Diego Community College – Midway Adult School June 19, 1970, and Mary Alice earned a Masters and later her PhD, with her soul mate (Fready) often driving her to Los Angeles or night classes, despite having put in a full day at the barbershop. 

An avid golfer, Fready could be found with his friends taking in 18 holes whenever time permitted. He was known for his comebacks on the “back-9.” Comprehending the unique value and potential growth of the game of golf, Fready encouraged his golfing buddies to invest in its own Golf Club in Emerald Hills in the early 60s.

A visionary, but a realist in the natural sense of the meaning, Fready in retrospect was accomplishing those things he spoke of many years prior in the cotton fields of west and central Texas. Despite his many successes, he realized something was missing in his life. 

In the spring of 1996, Fready Lee Jimmerson accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and united with JESUS, the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth, Inc., under the pastoral guidance of his younger brother Bishop James L. Jimmerson.  He became a formidable member of “The Team” with Bishop James, Sister Mary E. Smith and Senior Deacon George Jimmerson.

Fready dove into the scriptures studying his bible and thus increasing his knowledge of the word, exemplifying the pureness of heart, kindness, compassion and unfeigned love that comes when one proclaims Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

A compassionate and a faithful steward, Fready fully understood “faith without works” were of little consequence. He trusted in his faith and his work in the Body of Christ and stewardship were without equal. He took on the momentous challenge of overseeing the care for his brother James as well as his sister-in-law Mary E. Smith when both became ill and were confined to their beds. Bishop James passed in July 2014, and by the grace of our Lord and Savior Sister Smith continues to hold on.

An innovator, an entrepreneur, a good neighbor and friend to many, it might be said (and affirmed) Fready Lee never met a stranger. He was open and friendly to all people he encountered. It was this love and appreciation of his fellow man that drove Fready to want to make a difference in an individual's lives. He was always thinking of the next business move or how he could provide a service to accommodate those in need as well as those with means.

Fready Lee Jimmerson drew his last breath on Tuesday morning, December 21, 2021, in the comfort and quiet of his home. One so full of life departed this life on the dawn of a new day as the sun was rising. He leaves to cherish his memory two sisters, Pastor Hattie Mae Allen of Temple, Texas, and Pastor Elizabeth J. White of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister-in-law Mary E. Smith of San Diego; his church family; longtime assistant Sharon Jackson of San Diego; a number of health-care providers over the years; longtime trusted friends and family from Arizona, California to Cincinnati, Ohio; a host of nephews and nieces as well as great nieces and nephews, neighborhood friends, business associates, golfing buddies, and friends both near and far. 

Take your rest Brother Fready, you have earned it.

Always near in your Heart & Memories

Picture me as I was, Full of Life and Love

Although not with you now, 

I’m watching from above. I know you miss me,

And I miss you too!

It was my time to leave, as each of us will do.

Although not in your arms, I am always in your heart.

The precious love we shared, means we’re 

Never far apart.

God bless & keep you!

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