Franklin Deese

George Franklin Deese, 83, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Luverne Health & Rehabilitation on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025. A graveside service for Franklin will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 26th, in Hill's Chapel Cemetery in Ramer with Rev. Mike Deese officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Family and friends will meet in the cemetery at the service time.

Franklin spent most of his professional career building and supervising the machines responsible for building railroads all over both the country and world. His occupation provided him with the opportunity to see so much of the world, even as far off as Russia and China, which left him with a great variety of experiences and memories over the years. After his retirement, Franklin couldn't completely just relax and enjoy not having anything to do, because that's just not who he was. So, he wound up taking a job with Montgomery County for a few years before finally deciding that maybe just hanging around on the back porch and watching Westerns wasn't such a bad thing at all!

Besides simply basking in the beauty of the outdoors, Franklin was always on the lookout for a good yard or estate sale because you never know what treasure you might find at one of those. And don't let that gruff, grumpy exterior fool you; underneath it, Franklin was ALL heart. Even his worst days could be brightened by the beloved grandchildren who called him "PawPaw." He simply adored them, and they always knew he could be depended upon to keep them supplied with peppermints and butterscotch candies without fail...but somehow always "forgot" his walking stick! Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who knew the family he was blessed with was far more valuable than any material blessings. Franklin suffered a lot of loss and hardships in this life, but those experiences taught him to truly treasure the good times and blessings in his life...and never waste a moment with the ones you love.

Franklin was preceded in death by his children, Theresa Lynn Gibson, George F. Deese Jr, and Kimberly K. Deese; his father, William L. Deese; mother & stepfather, Annie Noble & Charlie L. Money; and siblings, Sarah Parker, James Deese, John Lewis Deese, Mary Lou Durden, Annie Ruth Dees, and Katie Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Margaret Price Deese; their daughters, Lynn Moody (Jeff Cummings) & Melissa (Sam) Hood; grandchildren, Hunner (Tess) Moody, Austin Hood, and Kayla Hood; great-grandchildren, Chandler Moody and Channing Moody; sister, Becky Hall; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Derrick Deese, Bubba Dees, William Durden, Sam Hood, Austin Hood, and Hunner Moody.