Gary Kenneth “Shorty” Franks, 78, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at the Quitman County Health and Rehab in Marks, MS. He was born August 17, 1943, at home in Mantachie to Woodrow and Anna Lee Reynolds Franks. He attended Mantachie High School and served in the National Guard during the Vietnam War. In 1965, he married his wife, Patsy Lee Murphy Franks, for her tomato sandwiches according to legend. He was a true jack-of-all-trades. He worked for Joyner Manufacturing in the 1960s, and bought Franks Grocery on Highway 371 in the 1970s. He worked in grocery stores, sold furniture, built houses, and loved to trade. He played bluegrass music with his brother John Charles for years all over the South. He also rebuilt his wife’s granddad’s store, Jim Buck Murphy Store, next to his home on Highway 371. After retirement, he and his wife loved traveling to tractor shows.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 10, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Grady Davidson and Bro. Kenneth Davidson officiating. Burial will be in the Fawn Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Tangela “Tangie” Franks Greenwood, and one brother, Tommy David Franks (Eva Joyce), all of Mantachie.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Patsy Murphy Franks, who died May 9, 2022; his parents; one brother, John Charles Franks; and his son-in-law, Drew Greenwood.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Friday at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie.
