Freddie Lee Degree of Kingstown, NC, transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at Atrium Health – Cleveland. He was born on May, 10th, 1932 in Shelby, NC to the late Horace Degree and Margaret Williamson Degree. He was preceded in death by his siblings,William (Bill) Degree, Mary Frances Smith and Harvey Lee Degree. Freddie was a faithful member of Hopewell Baptist Church who taught Sunday School, served as Chairman of the Deacon Board and sang in the Male Choir. He was a devout Christian who never met a stranger. During every waking hour of his illness he constantly prayed, praised and thanked God.
He was a gospel singer from a young age and sang with The Wandering Souls then with the original Singing Five Stars of Shelby NC for over 35 years. He attended Washington High School. He was a well borer for Weathers Concrete, and was a fixer at Burlington Industries and Cone Mills until his retirement.
Freddie met the love of his life, his surviving wife, Della Cherry Degree when he was 18 years old and they were married for71 years. He is survived by his five children, Gloria Degree Gentry of Shelby, NC, Frederick (Stephanie) Degree of Tacoma WA, Reginald (Debra) Degree of Shelby, NC, Angela (Roger) Hernandez of Tacoma, WA, Sonya (Christopher) Sheehan of Kempner, TX.
He is survived by his seven grandchildren, Terrence (Jaime) Degree of Las Vegas, NV, Maurice Hunt of Shelby, NC, Travis (Shandee) Lockhart of Boiling Springs NC, Chadwick Mitchell of Shelby, NC, Kinna (William) Scearce of Tacoma, WA, Saysha Wilkerson of Shelby, NC, Thalia Sheehan of Kempner, TX. He leaves behind 26 great grandchildren, and 12 great great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings, Gerome (Faye) Degree of Shelby, Aqeel El Amin of California, Pauline Bostic of Jersey City, NJ, Joe Nathan Degree of Shelby, Alfred (Cheryl) Degree of California, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2022 at 2:30 PM at Hopewell Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 2:30 PM on Saturday. The service will be livestreamed starting at 2:15 PM from the Enloe Mortuary Face Book page.
Randy Welch sent Peace & Serenity Dishgarden for Freddie Degree - January 05, 2023
Prayers for Peace and Understanding during this difficult time.
From your NC SERCAP Family
Marjorie Lamar planted 5 trees in memory of Freddie Degree . - January 09, 2023
Sorry for your lost I will always love you and your family
Sending my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Degree Family. I first knew Freddy when I was very young...my daddy song with Freddy with the original Five Stars of Shelby.Later on in life I worked with Freddy at Cone Mills/Cliffside plant.He taunt me many things at work and life in general. He was truly a Godly/God fearing man and he will be sorely missed.May God Bless you 🙏 ❤️ all now and in the difficult days ahead with his peace and comfort that beats all understanding..AMEN!
I am forever grateful that Amarius had multiple moments with great granddaddy Degree. The look in his eyes when he got to see his great grandson at 16 was priceless. It was an impromptu visit during the holidays, I'm glad I snapped photos. I pray that your life and legacy live on forever more, through the generations coming after you. My condolences to the Degree family. I'm glad my son is of greatness. Well done, great granddaddy, well done. Love, Aleana Jones
A MAN OF GREAT STATURE AND PEACE
To Della, her children, Gloria, Frederick, Reginald, Angie, Sonya, all the grandchildren and greatgrands. I pray God will keep each of you during your time of grief. We want you to know we love you and we are praying for God to hold you in His loving arms. And when you miss Freddie, your husband, father, grandfather, brother the MOST. May the Lord, then cover you with His peace and love, holding you even closer in His loving arms. One of my fondest thoughts about Freddie, is how he lived the life of a godly man wherever he went. When you met him, you knew you were around a man of integrity because he revealed so many godly characteristics.
He had great Perseverance and patient like Joshua. He Focused on God's Word and would talk about his Savior, Jesus Christ, in an instance. He was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Freddie's generosity is such a reflection of who he was...whether he offered you words of encouragement, or a place to lay your head or a plate full of food to fill your belly you felt the generosity in so many ways. He was a humble, honest and very a warm communicator. Whether you were talking with him about Jesus Christ, his favorite football team (alright Washington), or just about life...you always walked away with some nugget of wisdom. He was a very genuine and peaceful man too. You can tell he spent time in God's presence, because whenever you were around him, there was this atmosphere of peace. This world was a better place because of Freddie's life and love for Christ.
This scripture I hope will bring a comfort and a smile to all our faces when we think of Freddie being home with the Lord:
James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Brother-in-law, we miss you, but Christ wanted you home and I know you are rejoicing, singing and wearing your crown well on the other side of eternity.
Praying for you family and love you much!
Love Cheryl Degree and Family
A BROTHER'S LOVE NEVER CEASES
To Della, Gloria, Frederick, Angie, Reginald, Sonia and their entire family,
My family will continue praying for you. I love my oldest brother, Freddie Degree. He was a godly man who truly trusted his Heavenly Father first and then he had a great love for his family and people in general. He was respected by many who knew him and was friendly to everyone he met. In my years of knowing him, I never heard or seen him get angry towards anyone and I can say this confidently, as his youngest brother. Freddie encouraged all to give their lives to Christ and live right for God. He loved quartet music and sung in gospel bands and choirs...both semi-professionally, but mostly as a natural worshipper...Freddie had a beautiful tenor voice, which he used often to worship his Heavenly Father. Freddie was ready to go home and slept peacefully until he passed from this life into eternity. One of the things I loved about Freddie was spending time with him when we came into town and seeing him in action. His kindness was always on display, and he always made sure you were taken care of first. He always fed you and you never went hungry around him. A brother's love never ceases, and we will continue to pray for the Degree family..., we will especially lift up our sister-in-law, Della, Freddie's children Gloria, Frederick, Angie, Reginald and Sonia, along with all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. We love you all sooo much! Stay Encouraged! I believe this scripture would be his last words to all of us; Mark 8:31 – 33 Family please read this and pass it to on to the next generation. Love
Alfred Degree and Family
I worked with Freddie on 2nd shift in the Card room at Cliffside. Freddie taught me so much about leadership and how to treat individuals who I was assigned to supervise. That was in 1983/84, and I still hold our time together as dear. Carson
Sorry for your lost work with him at cone mills he was a real good friend
Sister Della I will forever remember the Degree family for when I pastored Hopewell your family was good to me. I will keep you all in my prayers and memory as well. God forever bless and keep you all in His perfect peace, RIP Deacon Freddie Degree. Rev. Jimmy Moore
Gloria, my heart goes out to you and your family. May God give you peace. Jean Holloway
Mr freddie, will always hold a special place in my heart, love's his family and man of integrity never seen him angry always with a smile. take your rest job well done on this side.. truly will be missed .. thank you for loving me like your own
Mr. Freddie will forever hold a special place in my heart along with Mrs. Della... They have been there at some of the hardest times in my life and always checked on me to make sure I was ok. He was such a man of integrity and loved Mrs. Della and family so much. He will truly be missed 🥰
Iam sorry for your lost. When I think about Mr Freddy, the first word that comes to mind is Integrity. Stay strong. A friend, Thomas Jackson.
SIP fam Love always 🥰😭😭
To the Degree Family,So Sorry for Your Loss.Cousin Freddie Degree was a Soldier of the Lord.I will Continue to 🙏 for Our Family.Sylvia Jones and Family.
Sorry for your loss and y'all are in my prayers. Freddie and Della are the sweetie people. From the Senora McDowell Walker Family
Mrs. Della and family, you are in our prayers. Let your love and memories of Mr.Freddie sustain you during this hour. Always remember that smile; it was because of you all. Family take your rest because you gave him the best. We noticed the love you gave as we shared the same experience with our mother. Be blessed, The Louise Dawkins McDowell family
Mrs. Della and Family, We send our deepest sympathies and love to you all. Mr. Freddie was a soilder in the army of the Lord, he showed it and told it. I loved to hear Mr. Freddie sing during devotion and on the choir. He is now singing on the Heavenly choir. Much Love, April Laborn and family
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
Preserve and share memories of your loved one by creating a Forever Missed online memorial. More at Forever Missed