Franklin Delano Hendrix

TUSCALOOSA Franklin Delano Hendrix, age 74, of Tuscaloosa, died Oct. 26, 2010, at home. Services will be 11 a.m. today at Little Sandy Baptist Church with Ronnie Blake officiating. Burial will follow in Little Sandy Baptist Church Cemetery with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Mary Hendrix; his children, Joseph Randall Hendrix and Daphne Wyatt Hendrix; his brothers, Clarence Hendrix and G.W. Hendrix; and his sister, Polly Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Von Marie Hendrix of Tuscaloosa; his son, John Franklin Hendrix (Robin Reilly Hendrix); his grandchildren, Joseph Heath Hendrix (Molly Hughes Hendrix), Daniel Kelsey Hendrix, Kellen Rutledge Hendrix, Jonathan Franklin Hendrix, Justin Corey Hendrix, and Jordan Patrick Hendrix; his great-granddaughter, Magen Grace Hendrix; his brother, Terry Hendrix (Wanda); his brother-in-law, James E. Fitts (Shirley); and his sisters, Doris Harkins and Faye McCutcheon.

Frank was born at Old Galloway Mining Camp on September 21, 1936. He graduated from Carbon Hill High School in 1954. After graduation, Frank served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Intrepid from 1958 to 1962. He joined the City of Tuscaloosa Fire Department in 1971 and retired in 1997. After retirement, he and Marie worked at Yellowstone National Park in West Yellowstone, Mont. until 2004. Frank was a faithful member of Little Sandy Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for over 40 years. He was a living testament of his love and commitment to God and his family.

Pallbearers will be David Fitts, Charles Fitts, David McCutcheon, Mike Brown, Spencer Hendrix, Jim Harkins, Jimmy Russell, and Bobby McFerrin.

Honorary pallbearers are City of Tuscaloosa firefighters, Hale County EMS, Shelton State Community College woodworking class, and Dewey Hendrix.

Special thanks to Dr. Jim Corder, Dr. Gary Newsom, Dr. George Miller, nurses and staff of DCH ICU and 6 North, Dr. Elwin Crawford and wife Charmian Crawford, friends of Taylorville community, members of Little Sandy Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa Firefighters Local Union 403, and a very special thanks to a dear friend, Mary Elizabeth Epperson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Little Sandy Baptist Church Building Fund or Hospice of West Alabama.

Condolences may be offered at www.memorychapelfuneralhome.com.