1932
Bessie
2011
Bessie Franks
December 30, 1932 — September 24, 2011
Bessie Franks
was born in Colbert County, Alabama on December 30, 1932. The daughter of Ira J. and Katie Jane Glover Middleton, she spent her childhood in Colbert County before marrying Loyde L. Franks on October 27, 1950. At age 17, she moved to Olive Hill, Tennessee with her new husband and remained there until her death.
One of her primary responsibilities was as a wife to Loyde and mother to the four children they eventually had, but she also worked outside their home. For twelve to fourteen years she owned and operated a discount clothing store; Bessie also worked in the cafeteria of Hardin County High School for six years. However, her true passion was the ministry, a vocation she followed for over 55 years, preaching at several churches in Wayne and Hardin Counties. For the last ten to twelve years, she pastored at Coveys Chapel Church, preaching God’s word to the congregation and counseling its members. She was a neighbor to everyone at Olive Hill and a mother to all the children there. Wherever she was needed, that was where she wanted to be and was always looking for any opportunity to help someone.
On February 8, 2008, Loyde died; Bessie followed on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the age of 78 years, 8 months and 25 days.
She is survived by their four children, Tommy Leon Franks and his wife, Georgia Ann, Rickey R. Franks and his wife, Priscilla, and Mark Franks and his wife, Carolyn, all of Olive Hill, Tennessee, and Glenda Sue Davidson and her husband, Roy, of Savannah, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Misty Rose Simmons, Christy Lynn Baxter, Jason Roger Franks, Amanda Brooke Davidson, and Olena McLin, and ten great-grandchildren.
Bessie is also survived by her two sisters, Christine Davis of Sheffield, Alabama, and Jane Dukes of Henagar, Alabama and her two brothers, Arthur Middleton of Olive Hill, Tennessee and Ray Middleton of Savannah, Tennessee.
Other than her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, James Wesley Franks, three brothers, Ira Middleton, Jr., Troy Dean Middleton, and Jimmy Middleton, and a sister, Bobbie Arnett.
was born in Colbert County, Alabama on December 30, 1932. The daughter of Ira J. and Katie Jane Glover Middleton, she spent her childhood in Colbert County before marrying Loyde L. Franks on October 27, 1950. At age 17, she moved to Olive Hill, Tennessee with her new husband and remained there until her death.
One of her primary responsibilities was as a wife to Loyde and mother to the four children they eventually had, but she also worked outside their home. For twelve to fourteen years she owned and operated a discount clothing store; Bessie also worked in the cafeteria of Hardin County High School for six years. However, her true passion was the ministry, a vocation she followed for over 55 years, preaching at several churches in Wayne and Hardin Counties. For the last ten to twelve years, she pastored at Coveys Chapel Church, preaching God’s word to the congregation and counseling its members. She was a neighbor to everyone at Olive Hill and a mother to all the children there. Wherever she was needed, that was where she wanted to be and was always looking for any opportunity to help someone.
On February 8, 2008, Loyde died; Bessie followed on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the age of 78 years, 8 months and 25 days.
She is survived by their four children, Tommy Leon Franks and his wife, Georgia Ann, Rickey R. Franks and his wife, Priscilla, and Mark Franks and his wife, Carolyn, all of Olive Hill, Tennessee, and Glenda Sue Davidson and her husband, Roy, of Savannah, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Misty Rose Simmons, Christy Lynn Baxter, Jason Roger Franks, Amanda Brooke Davidson, and Olena McLin, and ten great-grandchildren.
Bessie is also survived by her two sisters, Christine Davis of Sheffield, Alabama, and Jane Dukes of Henagar, Alabama and her two brothers, Arthur Middleton of Olive Hill, Tennessee and Ray Middleton of Savannah, Tennessee.
Other than her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, James Wesley Franks, three brothers, Ira Middleton, Jr., Troy Dean Middleton, and Jimmy Middleton, and a sister, Bobbie Arnett.
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