Edward Franklin Franze, Iii

The Rev. Edward Franklin Franze III, 76, of Winder, GA died June 22 at Tranquility Hospice Center in Marietta after contracting the novel coronavirus. He was a family man, music lover, ordained minister, theology teacher and Latin scholar.

Mr. Franze was born Feb. 19, 1944 in Lexington, VA, the son of the late Edward F. Franze Jr. and Sally Ann Lauderdale Franze. He was given the nickname “Ace” as a tribute to his naval aviator father.

After the war, the family relocated in Georgia where Mr. Franze attended public schools and graduated high school at The Westminster School in 1961. He received a B.A. degree in English from Georgia State University in 1966 and a Master of Divinity degree from Erskine College in 1972.

He was ordained by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and served pastorates in Smyrna and Hickory Grove before returning to Erskine College to teach.

After returning to Georgia and working in real estate and insurance, Mr. Franze resumed his education career by teaching Latin at three Georgia public high schools. While living in Winder, he taught adult bible study for 25 years at St. Anthony’s Episcopal Church.

His marriages to Lois Cohen Franze and Suellen Shults Franze ended in divorce.

Surviving are his sister, Sally Franze Jordan of Bristol, TN; one aunt, Barbara Franze Schoening of Minneapolis, MN; his four children, Emily Franze of Atlanta, GA, David Franze of Lithonia, GA, Rachel Franze Hedley of Darien, CT and Sarah “Betsey” Franze Jabbour of Walnut Creek, CA; three stepchildren from his second marriage, Fred White of Monterrey, CA; Adam White and Josh White, both of Rumford, RI; seven grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren. Also surviving is his fiancée, Virginia “Ginny” Parker of Winder, GA.

Mr. Franze was an intellectual with a quick wit who loved books, music and sports. But above all he loved family. He was a gifted orator with a commanding presence and was an accepting and patient man. He had a vascular stroke in May 2015 and never fully recovered but he kept his charm, sense of humor and gentle personality throughout his illness.

Because of Covid19, a memorial service will be held at a later date in Lexington, VA. A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home of Decatur, GA handled arrangements.

Donations may be made in Mr. Franze’s memory to NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness), PO Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297.