Lennis Wesley Franks, 85, of Tifton died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at Tift Health Care. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Shelton Smith and Rev. Terrell Roberts will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Wesley Franks, Garrett Franks, Austin Franks, Andy Wall, Aaron Wall, John Hillsman and Wayne Franks will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Talmadge Flippo, R. B. Delk, Thurmon West, Eugene Graham, Kenny Swain, Larry Braswell, Rudolf Howell and Willis Dowdy. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Franks was born on February 20, 1927 in Alabama and was the son of James Larcus “Jim” Franks and Etta Mae Tesney Franks, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Olena Flippo, Winnie Parr and Willie Mae Bell. He worked for Curtis Packing Company for ten years and retired from Sears & Roebuck after 26 years. He was a devout Christian and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Mr. Franks is survived by his wife, Louise Howell Franks of Tifton, to whom he was married 61 years on April 7, 2012; two sons and daughters-in-law, Earl and Carol Franks of Troy, Alabama and Donnie and Lynnah Franks of Brunswick; one daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Joe Wall of Blackshear; two sisters, Leota Cook of Tifton and Verdie Lou Chandler of Trenton, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Andy Wall, Aaron Wall, Wesley Franks, Garrett Franks, Allyson Franks, Alyssa Franks and Austin Franks; three great-grandchildren, Jackson Wall, Abby Wall and Brody Franks; and a special friend, Ginger Kelly.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.