Francis “Frank” Neil Ainsworth, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Noxapater, Mississippi, on Friday, November 4, 2022. Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Monday, November 7 at Union Ridge Baptist Church in Noxapater, Mississippi, with Bro. Greg Thomas officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will immediately follow the service in Union Ridge Cemetery.
Frank was born October 11, 1936, to Francis Neil Ainsworth, Sr., and Lillian Barnes Ainsworth in Jackson, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Fayette High School in Fayette, Mississippi; Co-Lin Community College in Wesson, Mississippi; and he earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Mississippi State University.
Frank was a faithful member of Union Ridge Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. He also was a member of the Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp.
He and his wife relocated to Winston County in 1959 where he was Vo-Ag teacher, bus driver, and assistant football coach at Noxapater High School until he started to work for Mississippi State University Extension Service. Mr. Ainsworth retired from Mississippi State University Extension Service with 26 years of service. He assisted with coaching Pee Wee football at Winston Academy for several years and frequently had former players fondly recall their days playing under his guidance. He will be remembered as a true friend and for the way he made everyone he met feel loved.
He leaves his devoted wife of 66 years, Sunshine Arnold Ainsworth; and his daughters, Trudy Glusenkamp and husband Kevin; and Fran Stevenson and husband Mark; and his devoted dog, Doodle. One of his greatest joys was being “Paw Paw” to his five grandsons: Quinton (Kayla) Stevenson; Ethan (Deah) Stevenson, Sam Glusenkamp, Travis Stevenson, and John Allan Stevenson; as well as his three great-granddaughters: Nora Stevenson, Nikki Stevenson, and Lily Stevenson. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Aubrey Ainsworth; his mother-in law, Irene Arnold; and his father-in-law, Earl “Bug” Arnold.
Serving as pallbearers are Quinton Stevenson, Ethan Stevenson, Sam Glusenkamp, Travis Stevenson, John Allan Stevenson, and Don Greenwood. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Gideon Saturday Morning Prayer Group. Memorials in honor of Mr. Ainsworth may be given to the Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 556, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
