Buford A. Franklin

Buford Adam Franklin, 91, of Athens, passed away Thursday, March 8, surrounded by family. Buford was born Aug. 16, 1920, to Atha and Nettie Franklin of Thatch. Services will be Sunday, March 11, 2012 2:00 p.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday, March 10, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m at the funeral home. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery with Malcolm Andrews and Scott Richardson officating. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 59 years, Valeria S. Franklin; and his sister, Mildred F. Pressnell. Survivors include his daughter, Sylvia Evans of Athens; and his son, Jerry Franklin of Nashville. Buford has three grandchildren, Marty Johnson and Michelle Davis, both of Athens, and Amy Franklin of Nashville. He has seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Buford also has many nieces and nephews who lovingly refer to him as “Big Buddy.” A 21-year-old trackman for the L&N Railroad, he received his draft notice in October 1942. He was inducted at Fort McClellan and sent to Camp Atterbury, Ind., for six weeks of basic training. He engaged in maneuvers in Lebanon, Tenn., for three months and was then shipped by troop train to the Florida coast for amphibious landings training for three months. On Jan. 18, 1944, Franklin sailed for Liverpool, England. His outfit eventually encamped near Plymouth, England. Pvt. Buford Franklin, an ammo bearer for a .30-caliber machine gun, started loading ship in England on June 5, 1944. The outfit’s mission was to land at Utah Beach in Normandy to help liberate France. He fought heavily through the Siegfried Line and crossed the Rhine River. Wounded on five occasions, he was in the hospital when he learned Germany had surrendered. In August 1945, he boarded a plane for home. The hometown may not have yet realized his generation had saved Western civilization, but inside his bulging duffle bag were tokens of his country’s gratitude — a Purple Heart with five oak leaf clusters (for five wounds); European African-Middle Eastern Theater ribbon with five silver stars and one bronze; a Distinguish Unit Badge; and a Silver Star. Once home, he returned to work for the L&N Railroad and married Valeria in 1949. He retired in 1982, but continued to work at Mid-South Medical and Amoco Chemical. Buford was a member of Jackson Drive Church of Christ. He has been a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and neighbor. Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Young, Jerry Sandlin, Anthony Pressnell, Ronnie Pressnell, Wade Pressnell, John Strickland and Louis Wales. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Hospice of Limestone County.

Buford A. Franklin

August 16, 1920 - March 8, 2012