Tupelo - Larry Mooney Franks, 53, died Friday, February 19, 2010, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after suffering a stroke on February 5. He was born November 21, 1956 to Cecil Sheffield and Estelle Mooney Franks. He made his home in Tupelo, attending Joyner Elementary and Milam Jr. High School. In his younger days, Larry accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo where he was active in various youth activities. He was a member of Boy Scout Troup 12 in Tupelo and earned the God and Country Award as well as attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed summer camp at Camp Yocona. Larry was a 1975 graduate of Tupelo High School.

He graduated from the General Motors Technical Training School in Memphis, Tenn. In Tupelo, Larry worked as a service manager for Big 4 Motors. He also owned his own vehicle service shop for a number of years. After retirement from professional service work, he enjoyed cattle ranching in Pontotoc County west of Chesterville where he spent his days cutting and bailing hay, and managing his cattle ranch. On that farm property he enjoyed fishing and hunting in his spare time and continued to utilize his mechanical skills.

He was known among his friends for being a great outdoorsman, and enjoyed his time away from business spending his vacation in the Smokey Mountains National Park every year for the past 25 years, often twice a year in all seasons. He was an avid wildlife photographer and enjoyed recounting the history of the Smokies.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2010 at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. David Eldridge officiating. Rev. Kevin Woods will deliver the eulogy . Burial will be in Yellow Leaf Cemetery in Lafayette County, near Oxford. There will be no graveside service.

Survivors include his parents, Dr. Cecil and Estelle Franks of Tupelo;, his sister, Carol F. Newcomb, M.D. and husband, Keith, of Madison; his brother, David Franks and wife, Janice, of Mantachie; his nephews, Carol's sons, Daniel and Andrew Werhan of Madison; his nieces, Marjorie Martinez of Mantachie, Lauren and Alexa Newcomb of San Antonio, Tex.; and numerous loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Elgar and Sally Franks of Dorsey; maternal grandparents, Luther and Ada Mooney of Oxford; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Marshall Briscoe, Jim Denton, Chuck Redwood, Tim Sudduth, Roger Rowland, and Richard Ransom.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Eason, Joker Campbell, Mitchell Moore, Earl Dodgen.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m until service time Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Hope Family Ministries through Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 1008, Tupelo MS 38802; The Boy Scout Hut Fund at Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo MS 38801; or the Mission Outreach Fund of The Church at Trace Crossing.