Donnie was born April 9, 1957, to Jackson D. “J. D.” Franks and Margrett Sullivan Franks. A proud veteran, Donnie honorably served his country for 20 years in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He received many awards, medals and ribbons during his military career, which included serving in Operation Desert Storm. After retiring from the military, he served as a rural mail carrier for 10 years.
Donnie is survived by his daughters: Amanda Ray of Sturgis, Mississippi, Donna Johnson of Starkville, and Jazie Baxter of Louisville, Mississippi; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his siblings: Sandra Scarbrough, Jimmy Franks, Ricky (Barbara) Franks, Tommy (Rani) Sullivan, Stevie Franks, and Margo (Kip) Missigman; his sister-in-law, Audrey Franks; his girlfriend, Evelyn Minshew; and the mother of his children, Pamela Beaty; as well as his nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Terry D. Franks.
Serving as pallbearers are Preston Johnson, Stacy Stricklin, Noah Childs, Jackson Franks, Sean Baxter, and Rick Franks. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Donnie may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P. O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at michaeljfox.org.
