James Lewis Franks (5-22-13) service 5-25-13

James Lewis Franks

James Lewis Franks was born in Hardin County on Nov. 22, 1929, the son of the late Clyde Alexander and Bertha Edna Melinda Belle Melson Franks.

On March 31, 1951, he was united in marriage to Bertha Faye Gladwin, who survives.

Mr. Franks retired after 15 years from Hardin Farmers Co-op where he drove a truck from Jackson to Savannah hauling fertilize. He was a member of Abrams Chapel United Methodist Church. Mr. Franks loved spending time with family, fishing, hunting, target practicing and talking on his CB radio where his handle was "Little Man." He also enjoyed farming, raising livestock, playing dominoes and checkers, playing the mandolin and guitar on the radio with Oscar Franks and Bobby Joe Stricklin and, most of all, he loved helping others in his community.

Mr. Franks departed this life on May 22, in Iuka, Miss., at the age of 83 years and 6 months.

In addition to his wife Bertha of Iuka, Miss., he is survived by his children, Gary Franks and his wife Margaret of Joliet, Ill., Carolyn Parrish and her husband Steve of Tishomingo, Miss., Shirley Massey and her husband Bob of Tishomingo, Miss., and Michael Franks and his wife Bethany of Iuka, Miss.; eight grandchildren, Steven Franks of Joliet, Ill., Jason Franks of Mazon, Ill., Leigh Anne Franks Higgins of Savannah, Daniel Parrish and Mycah Parrish, both of Oxford, Miss., Kimbery Massey Williams of Gonzales, La., Austin Franks and Bryan Franks, both of Iuka, Miss.; one step grandchild, Scotty Massey of Fulton, Miss.; five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Emma and Collin Franks, all of Mazon, Ill., Allison Grace Williams of Gonzales, La., and Lily Reese Higgins of Savannah; three step great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Belle and Sera Massey, all of Fulton, Miss.; three brothers, Clyde Alexander Franks Jr. and J.C. Franks, both of Savannah and William "Bill" Franks of Manchester, Tenn.; three sisters, Bertha Mae Brooks, Susie Wilson and Sarah Franks, all of Savannah.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one son, Randy Keith Franks.

Services were held on Saturday, May 25, at 1 p.m., at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Tony Polk officiating. Burial followed in the Germany Branch Cemetery at Hardin County.