Richard Franks Richard Wesley Franks , 77 of Columbus, MS passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-GT, Columbus, MS. Visitation will be Sunday, May 27, 2012 from 2-3pm at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A memorial service will follow at 3pm in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel, Columbus, MS. Mr. Franks was born December 14, 1934 in Columbus, MS to the late Richard O. and Helen Westbrooks Franks. He retired in 1991 with more than 25 years of service in maintenance at United Technologies in Columbus, MS. He was also a veteran of the Army National Guard of Mississippi. Mr. Franks was a member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church, Ethelsville, AL. He was a member of the AARP, enjoyed wood carving, playing the guitar, attending auctions, reading, and collecting rocks, bottles and driftwood. Mr. Franks was an avid University of Alabama fan. In addition to his parents, Mr. Franks is preceded in death by his daughter-Cynthia Shackelford and sister-Janice Spencer. Mr. Franks is survived by his wife-Louise Shackelford Franks, Columbus, MS; daughters-Vallory Williamson (Glenn) Hardin, Collinsville, MS, Mae Elizabeth Shackelford Hudson and fiancé Retired Lt. Col. Don Champion, Frederick, MD; sisters-Elayne Goodman, Columbus, MS and Patsy Holland, Atlanta, GA; brother-Douglas Franks, Panama City Beach, FL; grandchildren-Melanie (Michael) Given, Monica (Scott) Jordan, Marci (Scott) Wagner, Sissy Young Miller, Robert S. Young; 13 great-grandchildren; and special friend-Rachel Eide, Brookhaven, MS. Honorary Pallbearers will be Byron and Alice Weeks, Brian Goodman, Marty Goodman, Scott Jordan, Scott Wagner, Michael Given, Glenn Hardin, and Mr. Franks' neighbor, Charlie. Memorials may made to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society, P.O. Box 85, Columbus, MS 39703 or the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213