Franklin Newton Carroll Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Ozark with Rev. Dr. Christian Eckert, Rev. John D. Reese, III, and Rev. Dr. Jason Thrower officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2012, at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, 167 E. Broad Street, Ozark, AL 36360; Vivian B. Adams School, 2047 Stuart Tarter Road, Ozark, AL 36360; or Hope Lodge, 1104 Ireland Way, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Franklin was the cutest baby that was ever born and was cast in the movie Kids Like These at fourteen months old. He was a poster child for the Wiregrass United Way in 1990. At a very early age, Franklin developed a love for music and theatre and was allowed special seating for CHS theatrical productions. He won an award for his role as a policeman in Mame!

Franklin graduated from Carroll High School in 2005 along with several lifelong classmates including his best friend Scott. He continued his education at Stewart Home School where he led a very active life. He played basketball, cheered, won fishing tournaments, ran for mayor, danced at parties, and was a member of the Special Olympics Swim Team.

Franklin loved watching movies. He knew every actor and actress from classic films to Disney hits. But his true passion was for behind the scenes. He wrote screenplays, casting hundreds of his family members and friends in the roles of a lifetime. Franklin also loved food and had a knack for creating interesting combinations of the most unlikely ingredients. He loved his dog, Byron Spot, a name he insisted upon.

Franklin was a very special member of the First United Methodist Church of Ozark and recently rededicated his life to God. His greatest source of joy and happiness was in his relationships with his family and friends. He cherished his life’s memories and appreciated each day. Franklin will always be remembered for his loving heart, gentle spirit, and the ever present twinkle in his eye.

Franklin was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Howard and Helen Thrun; paternal grandfather, Kells Chilton Carroll, Sr.; and uncle, Kells Chilton Carroll, Jr.

Survivors include his parents, Franklin Newton and Sheryl Susan Thrun Carroll, of Ozark, AL; three sisters: Amanda Helen Carroll Reed and husband, Shawn Reed, of Carmel, IN; Sara Beth Carroll and Anna Maurine Carroll, both of Birmingham, AL; grandmother, Sara Newton Carroll, of Ozark, AL; godmother, Cindy Lewis, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; godfather, Howard A. Thrun, Jr., of Deer Park, Illinois; his pal, Betty Simmons, of Ozark, AL; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives.

Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home in Ozark (334) 774-4551 is in charge of the arrangements. Members of the Dignity Memorial Network. Condolences may be offered at www.fuquabankston.com.