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Submitted: 10/5/22 • Approved: 10/5/22 • Last Updated: 10/8/22 • R539841-G539840-S3
Alta B. Stephens Franks
September 7, 1933-June 13, 2011
Married Jan. 25, 1952
Shared stone with Kenneth D. Franks
*Photo, courtesy of Ruth Teal
*Obituary Alta B. Stephens Franks
Alta B Franks went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 16, 2011, at her residence in Midland.
Alta B (Stephens) Franks was born September 7, 1933 north of Gail, Texas in the Mesquite Community to Lefty and Loys Stephens. Her grandparents were George L. and Callie Stephens and CA and Zuma Bearden. All were residents of Borden County at that time. She attended school at Mesquite through the 8th grade and then to O'Donnell, where she graduated in 1950. She was baptized in a stock tank between Gail and Mesquite in 1942.
The family moved to Lamesa in 1951. Her parents became long time barbers in Lamesa. Her dad, Lefty Stephens, was a well-known baseball pitcher in that area. She was introduced to Ken Franks of Ackerly by a mutual friend in 1951. They were married on January 25, 1952. This was the beginning of a long and happy 59-year marriage. They lived in Lamesa until the fall of 1957. She worked as a nurse and at Dotty Dan Manufacturing, while Ken served overseas in the military.
Upon moving to Lubbock, she worked while Ken went to Texas Tech. They moved to Big Spring in 1960. She obtained both her beauty operators license and her real estate license while living in Big Spring. She worked at both professions before they were blessed with two sons. Steve was born in 1962 and Kent in 1964.
The family moved to Midland in 1971. She has lived in Midland almost 40 years. From 1984 until 1994, they owned and operated Honda, Kawaski of West Texas. Alta was an active part of that business and made many friends. She was known as a flashy dresser and loved her sports cars. She was blessed with two grandsons, Cole and Kyle Franks of Midland.
She is survived by her husband, Ken; sons, Steve and wife, Brenda Franks, and Kent and wife, Peggy Franks, all of Midland; grandsons, Cole Franks and Kyle Franks, both of Midland; aunts, Thala Garner of Levelland, Lena Arp of Brownwood and Ethyl McKee of Idaho; and numerous cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at the funeral home, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Services will be at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., with Dr. John Gerlach, Pastor of Crestview Baptist Church of Midland, officiating. Alta was a long time member of Crestview Baptist Church.
Burial will be at Lamesa Memorial Park in Lamesa. Her cousin, John (Steve) Stephens of Borden County, will officiate at the graveside service. That service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on the same day.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79704.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.
Obituary: www.npwelch.com
Contributed on 10/5/22 by neldapat
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Record #: 539841