Carolyn Pannill Franck

Carolyn Ann Pannill Franck died on February 2, 2016 at Kings Grant Retirement Community in her hometown of Martinsville, Virginia. She had a warm, generous heart that grew from her own faith and gratitude. Her gentle, unassuming strength and a will to serve was undeniable. And her spirit lives on in the love she shared.

She was born January 17, 1920 in Winston Salem, NC, daughter of the late William Letcher Pannill and Adele Dillard Pannill. She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years of marriage, William F. Franck, her sisters, Lucy P. Sale, Adele P. Carter, Mary Lou P. Lacy, Yonnie P. Smith, Patty P. Mebane and her brother William G. Pannill.

Surviving are her 4 children - Martha F. Rollins (Randy) of Richmond, William F. Franck III, (Cindy) of Greensboro, Ann F. Gordon (Alex) of Durham, John M. Franck (Jane) of Martinsville; 11 grandchildren - Ginny Rollins, Will Rollins, Betsy Euler, Jane Ronan, Ann Marie Franck, John Gordon, Will Gordon, Hannah Abernethy, Jay Franck, Davis Franck, Daniel Franck and 11great-grandchildren.

The family gives special thanks to Carol Belcher for her devotion and loving care. She attended Martinsville High School and graduated from Randolph Macon Woman’s College in 1940.

She was an Elder of First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville. She spent her entire life serving and caring for others and loving her growing family. She was instrumental in founding the Marc Workshop, and Hospice in the Martinsville area and for two years was Director of the Mental Health Association. She served as church organist for 40 years and even in her last month of life continued to play the piano for services in the chapel at Kings Grant Retirement Community.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 5 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville. The Revs. Dwight Christenbury, Paul Johnson, and Rusty Reaser will officiate. Her family will enjoy the company of friends in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church, after the service.

A Witness to the Resurrection Service will be held that same day, February 5, at 3:00 p.m. at Kings Grant Victory Chapel. Rev. Paul Johnson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Franck Scholarship Fund (administered by the Community Fund of Martinsville-Henry County), Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville, VA.

Arrangements are by McKee Stone Funeral Home of Martinsville.