Thelbert Franks
Funeral services for Thelbert Franks, 93, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 26, 2016 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Franks passed away at 7:14 p.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Brooke Haven Healthcare.
He was born October 3, 1922, at Franklin, Arkansas, to John Henry Franks and Hulda Marie Morgan Franks. He graduated from West Plains High School and attended Iowa State College. Mr. Franks was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy during World War II for three years. He served twenty-one years with the Missouri National Guard. On March 26, 1948, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Ada Kathleen Reid, who preceded him in death on July 28, 1989. On October 27, 1991, he was married at Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, to Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Skinner. Mr. Franks was an avid farmer, was a West Plains firefighter for ten years and retired as a construction inspector at Missouri Highway and Transportation after thirty-five years. He was a member of the Veterans Honor Guard of West Plains and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1828 and American Legion Post 23. Mr. Franks was a member of the First Church of God since young manhood.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Franks, of the family home; two children, Doyle Franks and wife, Kathy and Daniel Franks and wife, Cindy, all of West Plains; four grandchildren, Tara Riley and husband, Will, Caulfield, Missouri, Randa Hugg and husband, Josh, West Plains, Nathaniel Franks and wife, Ashley, Peace Valley, Missouri and Matthew Franks and wife, Kayla, West Plains; twelve great-grandchildren; fourteen step-grandchildren; one brother, Randall Franks and wife, Elaine, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, first wife, one infant daughter, two brothers, one infant brother, three sisters and two step-children, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God Audio Visual Fund and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Dennis Antrim
September 23, 2016 @ 11:08 pm
He was a very caring and loving man. He will be missed by many that was lucky enough to know this great man.
Ron Bivins
September 26, 2016 @ 10:49 am
My Uncle Thelbert was the finest man I have ever known. He was my hero since childhood and was instrumental in making me who I am today and setting my values and love of God and the land and everything we have been given by the Lord.
He overcame all adversity with strength, intelligence and modesty, while maintaining his morals above reproach. I have tried to instill in my children and grandchildren some appreciation of his values and kind generosity. His children and grandchildren went on the be good men and women who have perpetuated his values through their lives and are oriented to the good of both the community and their own families.
There are few like him him in today’s world and we are all a little poorer for his loss.
My God grant him the rest and rewards in heaven he surely earned here on Earth
Mike and Diana Pace
September 27, 2016 @ 9:55 am
It was a privilege to know this fine man and veteran. Our deepest sympathy to the Franks family.
Melinda DeShazo Brenton
September 30, 2016 @ 2:36 pm
I just read of the loss of Mr Franks! I am saddened by this news, but, I know that he has received a glorious welcome. I know that both my parents, Wayne and Wilma, thought very highly of him, and enjoyed many good times over the past year’s at the events at the VFW. May you each find comfort today and everyday, knowing that Mr Frank’s was so appreciated by others and loved for all that he did.
eden hugg
March 2, 2018 @ 1:47 pm
he was the best grandpa ever