Samuel Odell Franks Jr. better known as Sammy. He was born May 6, 1947, and he left this life on Nov. 2, 2016. He was the first child of Mildred Franks Johnson and Samuel Odell Franks Sr., better known as Odell. His maternal grandparents were Warren and Goldie Johnson. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Nora Franks. Mr. Franks began teaching in August of 1969 at Collinwood Middle School. He retired in August of 2009 after an illustrious and varied 40-year career in public education. At Collinwood Middle School he taught American and Tennessee history as well as coached the girls and boys basketball teams from 1969 to 1978. He was counselor at the Wayne County Vocational School from 1978 to 1982. At Pinhook in Lutts Tennessee, he was a principal, teacher, and coach from 1982 to 1987. From 1987 to 1994 he was the elementary school counselor at Waynesboro Elementary School, Waynesboro Middle School, Collinwood Middle School, Collinwood Elemetary School, and Frank Hughes Elementary. Finally, from 1994 to 2009, he was the Collinwod Middle School counselor.
Sammy is survived by his wife, Judy Kathren Thompson Franks, and their two sons, Christopher Antony Franks and David Shannon Franks, who all reside in Cypress Inn, Tennessee. His siblings are Margaret Franks Haygood, of Florence, Alabama, Mike Franks, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Joe Franks, of Cypress Inn, Tennessee, and Susan Franks, of Waynesboro, Tennessee. Sammy and Judy have nine grandchildren Lindsey Tomas, Amanda Franks, Christina Grumbach, Hunter Franks, Jacob Franks, Taylor Franks, Isaac Franks, Jayden Franks, and Freddy Franks. Finally, they have four great-grandchildren, Alyssa Franks, Paige Tomas, Kylie Tomas, and Vivian Tomas.
Brother Franks began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the fall of 1970 at the Martin’s Mill Church of Christ on Indian Creek near the Lutts community. Since 1970, Mr. Franks had served in the work of ministry primarily in Wayne County, Marin’s Mill, Iron City, and Wayne Furnace as well as Macedonia Church of Christ in Central, Alabama. Finally, Brother Franks was the preacher at Balentine Church in his beloved Cypress Inn, Tennessee. During his ministry, Mr. Franks was blessed to perform many funerals and marriages.
Sammy was an avid outdoorsman from birth. He filled every “spare” moment with either a fishing or hunting adventure. His greatest loved smallmouth streams are: Indian Creek, Butler Creek, Factory Creek, and Second Creek. Hunting was Sammy’s great passion on earth and his escape from the pressures of life. It helped him keep proper focus. It gave him the opportunity to study long hours about God while interacting with Him. “I love everyone dearly. You all are the ones who love me. Thank you for all the precious memories I will cherish. Don’t forget to do what I have asked of you. Seek God and follow his teachings. Finally, remember the poem that meant so much to me ‘Come Kiss me Wind.’”
A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at Collinwood Middle School gymnasium with Roger Villines, Tim Hanback, and Junior Daniel officiating. Friends may visit with the family four hours prior to services. At his request his remains were cremated. Shackelford Funeral Directors is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
