02/16/2026
Rickey Gene Franks Sr., age 70, of Muscle Shoals, AL, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at NAMC in Florence, AL. Funeral services will be held at Spry Memorial Chapel in Russellville, AL on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a viewing from 12:00PM to 2:00PM, funeral at 2:00PM, followed by a private graveside service at Tharptown Cemetery. Rickey was born on July 9, 1955, in Franklin County, AL to Gene and Jaunita Franks. He was a member of the 1973 graduating class of Russellville High School. On July 21,1973, he married the love of his life, Karen Murray Franks, and together, they built a family that he was most proud of. Rickey, known as “Dad” to the IP family, retired from International Paper in 2019, after a 31 year career, where his industrial maintenance and machinist skills were utilized to support the plant in many different ways, but what he treasured the most about his career was the opportunities he had to invest in the future of his coworkers through his teaching role in the industrial maintenance training program. After retiring from International Paper, Rickey worked five additional years in the machine shop at Constellium. Throughout his life, Rickey built a legacy that will be remembered and shared for generations. He was a proud member and bass singer for the Tharptown Quartet for several years. Rickey was a true family man, as he never chose a hobby or interest that didn’t involve his family. He loved fishing, boating, traveling, singing, riding motorcycles, time on the beach, and watching Alabama sports. One could say that Rickey was a man of many hats, as he has been known as coach, friend, teacher, partner, pit crew, supporter, protector, hype man, peace maker, comedian, mechanic, and the list goes on. Although Rickey filled so many roles throughout his life, the ones that he filled the best, loved the most, and took the most pride in were Christian, Husband, Dad, Pawpaw or Poppa, Son, and Brother. Rickey had a unique gift of making everyone feel welcome. He could always tell when someone needed a word of encouragement, a joke, or even just a hug, and he was always prepared to provide just that. He had a contagious laugh that would fill any room. He will truly be missed but he will never be forgotten.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 52 years, Karen Franks, children Rickey Franks, Jr.(Heather), Andrew Franks(Chasity) and Olivia Franks; grandchildren Elana Blackburn, Katlyn Little, Sarah Franks, MaeBeth Franks, Olivia Bonenfant, Abryanna Franks, Walker Franks and Re*****on Cochran; great-grandchildren, Gavin Craig, and Xyla Swafford; parents, Gene and Juanita Franks, sisters, Sheilah Henson, Karen Poss(Tim) and LaJeanna Ray (Tom), brother-in-law, Gerald Murray, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristi Franks Blackburn, in-laws, Huburt and Christine Murray, nephew, Blake Prince.
The visitation will be 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Spry Memorial Chapel, Russellville. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel with Bro. Chip Martin officiating at the service. The burial will be at Tharptown Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Tom Ray, Brayden Ray, Shawn Hines, Elvis Tidwell, Justin Wyatt, Jamie Fuller and Scott Robison.
