Reita Anne Paplanus Franco

Reita Anne Paplanus Franco – an 80 year-old native of Winchester, TN and longtime resident of Mobile passed away on Monday, April 14, 2014. Mrs. Franco attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society, past president of Sigma Delta Tau sorority, and graduated with honors in 1955. Early in her career, Mrs. Franco served as a buyer for Davison's Department Store in Atlanta. Upon moving to Mobile in 1976, she began a 28 year career as a travel agent, first with Phil Hardy Travel and later with Brownell Travel. Mrs. Franco was a member of Springhill Avenue Temple where she was a longstanding member of the board. She also served on the boards of the Jewish Community Center and the Mobile Jewish Welfare Fund. Mrs. Franco was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Morris Franco; parents, Isidore and Fannie Garber Paplanus; and sister, Charlotte Dreifuss. She is survived by her three sons, Alan Franco (Diane), Paul Franco (Leslie), and Bryan Franco; brother, Dr. Samuel H. Paplanus; and grandchildren, Justin Franco, Max Franco, and Eli Franco; other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held from Springhill Avenue Temple on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. The family will receive friends at the temple from 1 p.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Springhill Avenue Temple, 1769 Spring Hill Ave., Mobile, AL 36607, the Mobile Jewish Film Festival, 273 Azalea Rd., Ste. 1-219, Mobile, AL 36609, or the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, 3863 Morrison Rd., Utica, MS 39175. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606.