Alma Jean FRANKS TUBERVILLE

William
January 5, 1925 - June 15, 2017

Alma
October 15, 1926 - October 5, 2017

*Obituary
Otis and Velma Franks celebrated on October 15, 1926, as their child, Alma Jean Franks, was born. Their area of Macedonia was blessed that day with a young girl who would grow up to be a remarkable example of lifelong service and leadership.
Columbia County Unbringing

Along with her sister Saline and brother Otis Jr. “Buddy,” Alma Jean had an active and robust childhood in Macedonia. Enjoying her father’s management of the community telephone office and its role in this small south Arkansas community, to later his country store, and the active Harmony Methodist Church congregation, she valued the closeness of her immediate and extended families. The large Johnson and Franks families offered a wealth of close connections with numerous first cousins who loved to gather at their grandparents’ farms and enjoy one another’s company.
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Graduating from Magnolia High School in 1945, she went on to her studies at Magnolia A&M College (now Southern Arkansas University), where she graduated and also first knew of Partee Tuberville. After her first experience teaching at Emerson High School, she soon realized her time as “Miss Franks” would be short-term after she began her courtship with Partee.
Attentive Wife and Loving Mother
Alma Jean Franks married Partee Tuberville on August 16, 1948. After their marriage, Alma Jean began her life in Magnolia working first in the Columbia County Courthouse. She and Partee were active in the community and the Magnolia First Methodist Church. Six years later, their first child, William Paul Tuberville, was born and her life as a devoted mother began. She immediately began the role of a “working mother” as she continued her tenure in the County Courthouse, even serving a short appointment by Governor Orval Faubus as County Judge. Eight years later, she and Partee welcomed Angela Jean Tuberville into their family as well. Her days were full balancing the demands of a young family as well as her role in the Magnolia Public School system in the late 1960s.
As her family grew, so did her involvement in her school and church activity that her children were involved in during their school years. From PTA to dance recitals, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and First Methodist youth programming, she made sure to help others who were leading and helping not only her children but others have a quality foundation in positive learning and involvement opportunities.
As her family grew and ultimately left for Hendrix College, Duke University, and SAU, she became highly involved in the United Methodist Women at First Methodist. She was known for being a consummate hostess to new pastors and staff members, a leader in UMW functions, starting the Women’s Salad Luncheon and Style Show, as well as setting high standards for the church bereavement and funeral guilds. She was the “go-to” person, often seeing a need in the church and then stepping up and organizing teams to help fulfil a growing ministries in the church. These functions included sharing her expertise in planning elaborate receptions often with flair and sharp attention to detail to developing a new Sunday School program for young adults in the early 1980’s. Her connections with the community helped her to develop solutions and include others to make new programs and initiatives a reality.
In the community she also was a member of the Magnolia Junior Charity League, where she gave of her time and service to help others in Columbia County. As a devoted wife of Partee, she supported his banking career as well as his service in multiple leadership roles in Columbia County.
A new role started in 1984, when she became a mother-in-law with the marriage of Angela to Bill Brasher Jr. That role expanded when Paul married Kathy Atkins from Memphis in 1985. Traveling to Memphis frequently in the earlier years of her married childrens’ lives, both she and Partee enjoyed these visits as the family attended events in Memphis as well as the infamous shopping trips with Angela and Kathy.
In 1989, she began a favorite role as Grandmother when Emily Tuberville was born. While other roles were important, she instantly was consumed by this small bundle of joy which expanded in 1990 when Stephen Brasher was born. Having both a granddaughter and a grandson, she was busy with visions of pink and blue until the surprise of twin granddaughters came about in 1991 with Laura and Susan Tuberville. Her circle of grandchildren became complete when John Brasher entered the world in 1996.
While she loved her community, school, and church activities, no role replaced that of being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She attended sporting events, dance recitals in Memphis, fun beach vacations, and church events with her grandchildren and enjoyed every minute. She did all of this as well as continued to work at the Magnolia Public Schools until she was the age of 80. Her motto in life was to be productive and busy, adding value to the lives of others.
She was an individual that people listened to; from sage advice about how young professionals entering the school system should get involved, to helping the Magnolia Football team be successful with ticket sales and filled box seats to support the Magnolia Panthers. Her family attests to this robust wisdom of sayings such as, “We don’t put sage in our dressing” to “That’s a smart looking outfit, you look professional.”
She was the matriarch of the descendants of Velma and Otis Franks. She orchestrated many extended family events including the traditional Macedonia Christmas gatherings involving “Macedonia” style food and gift exchanges to memorable birthday gatherings for her brother and sister. Known as “Aunt Jean” by her nieces and nephews, they, too, appreciated her attention to detail and her southern hospitality in these gatherings.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Partee Tuberville (June 2017), her parents Otis and Velma Franks, sister Saline Grace, and brother Otis Jr., more often known as “Buddy” Franks. She is survived by son Paul Tuberville and wife Kathy, daughter Angela Brasher and husband Bill, granddaughters Emily and husband Kyle Taubken, Laura Tuberville, and Susan Tuberville, grandsons Stephen Brasher and John Brasher.
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Visitation will be Sunday, October 8, 5-8 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Home Inc. with services at First United Methodist Church in Magnolia on Monday, October 9, at 10 a.m.
Pallbearers are Stephen Brasher, John Brasher, Allen Franks, David Grace, Donald Grace, Danny Grace, Gil Johnson, and Kyle Taubken. Honorary pallbearers are the Clegg/Open Door Sunday School Class members and the FUMC United Methodist Women.
Memorials may be sent to the First United Church of Magnolia, Arkansas.
Alma Jean Franks Tuberville had a full and robust life with family, friends, and an engaged community throughout her life. She was blessed by many along her 90 years of life. However, she blessed many along the way with hospitality, kindness, and service. She will be missed by many.
Alma Jean Tuberville—blessed to be a blessing to all she met. May we all learn from her example that in giving to others, we receive the blessing of a full and memory-rich life. She will be missed by many.

Contributed on 8/10/19 by debbraszymanski
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