Herbert Dean Freeburn, Jr.

Herbert Dean Freeburn, Jr, 80, of Petersburg, VA, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Born in Memphis, TN, he was the son of the late Herbert Dean Freeburn, Sr. and Mary Olga Popig Freeburn; and was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard Freeburn.

Mr. Freeburn spent his career working in the insurance industry. He began working for Southland Life, then moving to Equitable Insurance before owning and operating his own insurance brokerage, The Dean of Insurance. He was the former owner and operator of Perma-Shine in Petersburg, VA having served many car dealerships in the area.

Mr. Freeburn was a lifelong member of The Lutheran Church of our Redeemer in Petersburg, VA, where he has served in many different capacities. He was the former CEO of Downtown Churches United, that had extended into the Hope Center, which is committed to easing hunger and financial stress for those in need. Herbert was an active member of the Petersburg Rotary Club and the Life Underwriters Organization. Mr. Freeburn spent his time serving Petersburg and the surrounding communities through his dedication to the Rotary Club with many fundraisers such as their Golf Tournament and Brunswick Stew Sales.

Herbert is survived by four children, Deana Benson (Jamie Van Cleef), Herbert Dean Freeburn, III, Amy Mathewson (Delbert), and Heather Scott (Tucker); devoted partner, Ruth Knight; thirteen grandchildren, Meghan, Jessica, Brandon, Lauren, Brittany, Rebecca, JeanLuc, Samantha, Victoria, William, Madeline, Coston and Hadley; eleven great-grandchildren with the twelfth expected in July; his sister, Patricia Freeburn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 1769 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg, VA 23805. Entombment will be private. The family is being served by the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Flowers are welcome, or contributions may be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. Immediately following the service, there will be a gathering of family and friends in the Fellowship Hall. Guests are welcome to bring a covered dish if they would like, but it is not expected.

Family and friends are invited to attend and pay their respects.