“Do Not be Sad that is Over; Be Happy that it Happened”
Donald Franks passed away Tuesday March 26, 2024. He was a retired teacher and foreign supervisor with the Wilson County School System. Donald was a graduate of East Carolina University where he received his BS and Master’ Degree. He was an adamant fan of ECU Pirates where he received degrees in foreign languages, school administration and supervision. He always wore ECU apparel.
He loved his career in education and was blessed to have taught some of the most wonderful students in the school system. He was associated with the school system for over thirty years during which he was named Outstanding Young Educator and Teacher of the Year for Wilson County and District Teacher of the Year and was a runner-up for NC Teacher of the Year. He also took students on trips to foreign countries, including one trip of six weeks to several countries in Europe. It was a wonderful experience for the students to enjoy different cultures. He also worked in real estate for several years. He enjoyed showing homes to perspective clients, in particular young couples looking for their first home.
After retirement, Donald moved to Indian Beach while maintaining his Wilson home. He enjoyed the beach, especially sitting on the porch with his friends and talking to the neighbors and watching the boats go by. It was always fun watching the catch of the day come in.
After a few years, Donald realized that it was time to give up his beach life and move back full-time to Wilson where he continued to enjoy the outside on his patio and deck. His favorite thing was grilling out, especially when family visited.
Donald was preceded in death by his Father, Graham Hubbard Franks and his mother Bette Allene Barbour Franks, both from Goldsboro, his sister, Josephine Franks Carroll of Raleigh, sister, Peggy Franks Jackson of Goldsboro; brother Everette McGee Franks of Goldsboro. He also lost two nephews, Frankie Carroll of Raleigh and Danny Franks, of Goldsboro and his loving sister-in-law, Carol Franks of Goldsboro.
He is survived by his two puppies, Della and Duffy and by the best caretaker and spouse, Dallas Arnold of Wilson; five nieces, Brenda Beasley of Clayton, Marisa Jackson of Goldsboro, Debbie Long of Emerald Isle, Melissa Sauls of Sanford, Patrican Allen of Pikeville; five nephews, Ronnie Carroll of Wendell, Michael Jackson, of Raleigh, Mark Jackson of Eureka, Kevin Jackson of Goldsboro, and Joseph Strouss of Emerald Isle. He has numerous great great nieces and nephews, plus his special niece, Sue Jackson of Eureka.
Thanks to so many family members and friends who brought food and helped in so many other ways during Donald’s illness. Donald appreciated all the visits, phone calls and other kind acts so much.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3 PM in the chapel of Thomas – Yelverton Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2 PM to 3 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
A great thanks to Johnny Sullivan for offering to perform the ceremony. He, like many others, was a former student of Donald. Pianist is Dean Etheridge.
All guests are asked to wear ECU attire or gold and purple. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donald’s memory to the East Carolina Foreign Language Department at https://foreign.ecu.edu/.
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