Franklin E. Ballinger

Franklin Evin Ballinger, age 88 of Nashville, TN passed away on March 6, 2020. He was born October 29, 1931 in Nashville. He was preceded in death by his parents William Patrick Ballinger and Verlie Uldene Hill Ballinger. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Rosemary Therese Murphy Ballinger. His five children; Franklin Evin Ballinger Jr., Mary Dean Ballinger (James) Byrd, Robert Patrick (Dana) Ballinger, Cynthia Ann Ballinger (Stephen) Williams, David Michael (Cynthia) Ballinger. His fifteen grandchildren; Theresa Ann Ballinger (Matthew) Sifford, Lauren Kathleen Byrd (Ryan) Wills, Leah Murphy Byrd (Dayton) Wheeler, Lindsey Erin Ballinger, William Patrick Ballinger, Anne Claire Ballinger, Jackson Davis Ballinger, (Halle Repass), Evin Reed Ballinger, Joseph Ryan (Blake) Williams, Olivia Ann Williams, Stephanie Rose Williams, Christopher Franklin Williams, Meghan Elizabeth Ballinger, Michael Riley Ballinger, Caleb James Ballinger. His seven great grandchildren; Jaelyn Annabelle Sifford, Hanna Murphy and Copeland Gale Wills, John Hudson and James Easton Wheeler, Beckham Carson Ballinger, Jameson Reeve Williams.

Franklin graduated from Cathedral Grade School and Father Ryan High School. He served his country in the United States Air Force. He attended Middle Tennessee State University. He then went to work for the phone company and retired from Bell South forty years later. While there, he was the recipient of the Winners Circle Award. As a young man, he was a member of the catholic organization Alpha Omega, where he met his future bride. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 544, 4th degree, and a member of the Honor Guard. He was an active member of the St. Edward Catholic Community, where he attended church and his children attended school. He loved being a lecturer and singing in the choir. He was an avid coach and dedicated to many teams which included St. Edward and Hailey Park in Crieve Hall. He donated over ten gallons of blood to the American Red Cross.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons. Visitation with the family is Monday March 16, 2020 from 4:00 pm-6:30 pm at St. Matthew Catholic Church with a vigil at 6:30 pm. Visitation will also be Tuesday March 17, 2020 from 9:30 am- 11:00 am prior to the funeral mass. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday March 17, 2020 at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The celebrant will be Rev. Mark Sappenfield. Committal Service with military honors will be at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery March 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm in the cemetery chapel.

Our family would like to express their sincere thanks to all who have been so generous with their love, support, and prayers. Especially to Charity Cormier who was his treasured caregiver.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church for the special appeal.