Dr. Lelia Bea Frank

July 26, 1954 - July 6, 2024

Dr. Lelia Bea Willis Frank was the widow of Terrance J. Frank and daughter of Wilbur Willis, Sr. and Eloise Whitlow Willis (both deceased). She was born on July 26, 1954 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She was the seventh child of ten children. Her parents and four of her siblings preceded her in death. Dr.

Frank departed this life on July 6, 2024 after a year long battle from a major medical illness.

She was baptist by faith. She attended Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church and loved singing in the choir when able.

Dr. Frank was education focused with two bachelors, two masters, and a doctorate degree. Dr. Frank received her doctorate degree from Auburn University. She was also an alumni of Alabama State University and Tuskegee Institute.

While in college, she was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa International Honor Society. Dr. Frank was an instructor and an administrator in the field of education. She loved science and motivating people to learn. She assisted others in obtaining higher degrees and motivated students to always reach higher in life. Dr. Frank worked tirelessly to cause her students to have enjoyable experiences as they learned. She enjoyed having fun with people she knew, social events, and traveling. She loved her family, her friends, and her church. She enjoyed cooking and spending time with her grandchild and pet (Snowball).

Dr. Frank was a member and held offices in several professional and civic organizations. Some of the organizations she was a member of included the Montgomery Education Retirees Association (MERA) where she served as Secretary 2018-2020, Technical Assistant 2020-2021, and Social Chairman 2022-2024. Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG),

Alpha Chapter where she served as President 2018-2020 and Educational Excellence Chairman 2021-2023. Other organizations she was affiliated with included the Association of Secondary School Principals (Retired), Association of Superintendents (Retired), the Alabama Education Association and National Education Association (AEA & NEA), Cattleman's Association State of Alabama, AUM Alumni Association, Morning Star Chapter 193, Order of the Eastern Stars, and Moses Assembly 115. Dr. Frank was also a member of Montgomery AARP Chapter 528 and other organizations. Her love for people was evidenced in her volunteering in many capacities to aide and assist others.

Surviving Dr. Frank are her daughter, Katina Willis Dacus (Leonard) and granddaughter, Kolby Gabrielle Dacus of Montgomery, AL, sisters Nancy M. Richardson of Kennesaw, GA, Dr. Faye J. Mays of Niceville, FL, Deborah D. Jackson of Tuskegee, AL, brothers Tommy A. Willis of Tuskegee, AL, and Marion R. Willis of Tuskegee, AL; Sister-in-law Emma Willis of Tuskegee, AL and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

A visitation for Lelia will be held Friday, July 19, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117. A funeral service will occur Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1550 E Washington St, Montgomery, AL 36107.