Thomas Copeland Franks

Thomas Copeland Franks, 93, of Little Rock, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. He and his twin sister, Katherine, were born Sept. 29, 1919 in Hope, Arkansas to the late William and Lena Franks. A World War II veteran, Thomas graduated from Hope High School and attended State Teachers College in Conway before his National Guard unit was activated in December 1940. He served as a staff sergeant in the 153rd Infantry Regiment in Nome, Alaska, and later at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He met Carra Lee McKenzie, his wife of 69 years, at college in Conway. They married while he was on leave in January 1944 and later worked together at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, where she was a clerk typist. Thomas worked in his family fruit and wholesale business in Hope prior to the war and afterwards as an insurance underwriter for the Maryland Casualty Co., American General Life Insurance Co., and the East Cashion and East Insurance Agency. A member of Pulaski Heights Methodist Church, he watched the televised Sunday service when he was no longer able to attend in person. He looked for the best in people, showed kindness to others, and appreciated his caregivers in the last years of his life. He is survived by his wife; sons, Ted (Alison) of Murphys, Calif., Mac of Jonesboro, and Bill (Kate) of Little Rock; grandchildren, Amanda (Bradley) Weathers of Jonesboro, and Casey (Heather) Franks and Thomas and Libby Franks, all of Little Rock; and great-grandchildren, Colby Wood and Laney Weathers, along with many nieces, nephews and their children. Thomas and Carra Lee Franks devoted their lives to raising and providing for their three sons and will be remembered for their example of hard work and responsibility. Services will be held Friday, January 18 at 2 p.m. in Shamblin Chapel at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, officiated by Dr. Jeff Hampton. Memorials may be made to the T.V. Ministry at Pulaski Heights UMC. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501) 224-2200. Mr. Franks' online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.