Gene Franks was born on January 9, 1945 in Hardin County, Tennessee, the son of the late Edna and Josie Wilkerson Franks.
Gene graduated from Central High School in 1964. He honorably served his country in the United States Army from November 1967 until November 1968. After over 40 years of employment, Mr. Franks retired in 2011 from Southern Fabricators in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was a supervisor. Gene loved watching sports and was a big fan of the University of Tennessee Vols and Memphis State Tigers. He also was a Hardin County baseball fan and big supporter. He loved his grandchildren so much. He watched Kelsey’s children while they enjoyed Christmas. He loved watching Jacob play baseball when he was younger. He watched his first Tennessee baseball game with Collier. He played Legos with Cruz. He spent years watching his nephew Chad play baseball and later coach his son Ryder.
Gene Franks departed this life on November 27, 2024 in Savannah, Tennessee at the age of 79 years, 10 months, and 18 days.
He is survived by his daughters, Angela Mayfield Meza (Hugo) and Rhonda Emerson (Brent), all of Southaven, Mississippi; sisters, Nannie Faye Gray, Deanna F. Harville (James), and Patricia Franks Eklund, all of Savannah, Tennessee; brother, James Franks (Christy) of Savannah, Tennessee; grandchildren, Kelsey Curry (Michael), Jacob Mayfield, Collier Emerson, and Cruz Meza; and great grandchildren, Elizabeth Curry, Barrett Curry, Violet Curry, and Luna Curry.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his sisters, Maxell Gray and Bonnie Pinson Hancock.
