Raymond Hale Franks

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Raymond Hale Franks on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside with Rev. Curtis Spears, Rev. Stanley Wilson and Dr. Ron Blankenship officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Raymond passed away December 30, 2018 at the age of 89. He was born July 20, 1929 to Theresa Louise Hagedorn Franks and Roy Franks in Shreveport, LA. He graduated from Fair Park High School. He attended LA Tech University in Ruston, LA and Letourneau Technical Institute in Longview, TX, where he finished with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, Mr. Franks joined his father working at the United States Postal Service in Shreveport where he worked until his retirement in 1984. Outside of work, Raymond had many other interests. He served in the Louisiana National Guard for 9 years and had an engraving business. He was the last surviving charter member of the Ark-La-Tex Gun Collectors Club and was a lifetime member of the NRA. He was an avid reader and loved to travel. He went to Russia, the Holy Land, Zimbabwe in Africa, Australia, and on several cruises. He has also been to all 50 states and every continent except Antarctica. Due to his love for travel, he was affectionately called "Roadrunner"! In CB radio days his handle was even "Roadrunner". Thanks to his family and friends, he had a vast collection of these crazy critters. Raymond never met a stranger. He could talk to people from all walks of life on most any subject and was always ready and willing to help anyone. Raymond Franks was a man of deep conviction who knew and stood for what he believed. He greatly loved God, His word and Gospel music. He especially liked to whistle along. Attendance and support of the church were very important parts of his life. For many years, he was active in the First Baptist Church of Shreveport, Centenary United Pentecostal Church and Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eleanor Franks Damewood. He is survived by his loving wife, LaVerne Franks, of Shreveport, LA; his daughters, Evelyn Blankenship and husband, Ron, of Montgomery Village, MD, and Doris Miller and husband, Mark, of Kilgore, TX; stepdaughter, Tonya Wilson and husband, Stanley, of Laurel, MS and grandchildren, Nathan Blankenship, Melanie Blankenship, Angela Blankenship, Preston Miller, Austin Miller and wife, Alli, Anna Grace Miller, Alicia Wilson, Ben Wilson and wife, Brooke, and Hannah Wilson. Pallbearers will be Nathan Blankenship, Preston Miller, Austin Miller, Ben Wilson, Keith Norwood and Wayne Lowery. Honorary pallbearers will be Gregg Mace, Keith Lockhart, Roy Brun and Scott Marlowe. A special thanks goes to the nursing staff and other employees of the Health Center at Live Oak. Memorials may be made to Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, 9204 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71115; FBC Kilgore, Building Fund; 501 E. North, Kilgore, TX 75662 or the charity of your choice.