Sarah Marie Melson Franks

Sarah Marie Melson Franks of Waynesboro, TN was born December 2, 1918 in Wayne County, TN, the daughter of the late William Henry and Lillie Annie Brewer Melson. She was united in marriage to James Williams Franks, Sr. on October 18, 1941 and he preceded her in death on November 1, 1991.

Mrs. Franks was a homemaker and retired factory worker and was a member of the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Tennessee. She departed this life on April 14, 2014 at Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro, Tennessee at the age of 95 Years, 4 Months, 12 Days.

She is survived by sons, James W. Jr., Terry, Paul and Samuel Franks all of Waynesboro, TN, Steve Franks of Hohenwald, TN and Grayford Franks of Clifton, TN; daughters, Linda Owens, Lois Franks, Doris Creecy and Shelia Alley all of Waynesboro, TN, Carolyn Adams of Collinwood, TN and Kitty Pulley of Portland, TN; 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Frank Melson of Harvard, IL, Herbert Melson of Mishawaka, IN; sisters, Gladys Brown of Harvard, IL, Elizabeth Harville of Savannah, TN; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Franks was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Franks; a granddaughter-in-law, Ronica Adams; and a great-grandson, Casen McClain.

Services will be Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Directors chapel, Waynesboro, Tennessee, with Craig Mason and Kerry Franks officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Collinwood, Tennessee. Pallbearers will be Brandon Adams, Gary Welch, P. D. Owens, Jeff Alley, Randall Creecy and Ronnie Pulley with Dale Adams serving as honorary pallbearer.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 5 pm to 9 pm and Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from 8 am until service time at the funeral home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Gideons International or Philadelphia Baptist Church.