James Franklin “Frank” Eaton, 68, of Alapaha died Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, 2011, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Marvin Williams will officiate with burial to follow in Fletcher Cemetery in Alapaha. Mike Dieas, Kenny Lee, Buddy Vaughn, Allen Vassey, Don Hall and Hank Studstille will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Eaton was born on October 26, 1942 in Tift County and was the son of John B. Eaton and Nellie Golden Eaton, both deceased. He was a truck driver with McClellan Truck Lines in Tifton and a member of Mount Zion Ministries in Enigma. He drove a truck for over 50 years and enjoyed spending time with his nephew, Hayden. He had lived is whole life in Alapaha.
Mr. Eaton is survived by his wife, Stephanie Pilger Eaton of Alapaha; one son, Randall Eaton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Todd Hancock of Adel, Debbie and Marlon Giddens of Chaserville; one foster daughter, Brittany Burgess of Adel; one brother and sister-in-law, Johnny Ray and Pamela Eaton of Alapaha; one sister, Kathy Wilkerson of Nashville; one brother-in-law, Darrell Smith of Tifton; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two foster grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.