James Edward Franks, 77, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed away Friday, October 11, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith. He was born March 4, 1947 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to James Daniel and Virginia Louise (Granger) Franks. He was a member of Greenwood First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. James was an insurance agent and longtime owner of Nationwide Insurance Agencies. He also enjoyed teaching insurance licensure classes, consulting for other insurance businesses, mentoring his children in business and a successful career in wholesale furniture distribution and manufacturing with Eads Brothers Furniture prior to joining the insurance industry. He attended Ouachita Baptist University where he was a political science major, member of the Sigma Alpha Sigma Fraternity, President of the Young Democrats, and politically active in assisting African Americans to register to vote following the passage of the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was an avid morning walker, voracious reader, war history buff and film critic, and he previously served on the board of the Scott-Sebastian County Library. James most recently attended Asbury Church, where his wife is on staff.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie Franks; two daughters, Michelle Landers and husband, Brigadier General Andrew Landers of Washington, DC and Dr. Amber Bass and husband, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Bass of Austin, TX; one son, Michael Franks and wife Dr. Amy Franks of Little Rock; one sister, Carolyn Hubanks of Pine Bluff; three grandchildren, Collin Franks, Hayden Franks and Ella Bass; two nephews, Charles Franks and Harvey Franks and wife, Jennifer; seven great nieces and nephews, Tanner Cantrell, Brandon Cantrell, Logan Cantrell, Addi Cantrell, Laney Cantrell, Mitchell Franks and Emmalyn Franks; beloved Granger and Franks cousins and one namesake granddog, Shelby James.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 16th at Asbury Church, 10 W. Denver St. in Greenwood with burial at Liberty Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Tuesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Michael Franks, Collin Franks, Hayden Franks, Andrew Landers, Christopher Bass, Charles Franks, and Harvey Franks.
Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Cemetery, P.O. Box 1512, Greenwood, AR 72936 or Asbury Church, P.O. Box 548, Greenwood, AR 72936.
The funeral service will be live streamed on the Asbury Church Facebook page.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
