Charles Franklin Falls

Charles Franklin "Frank" Falls, Jr. 80, of Jonesboro, has gone to that big fishing hole in the sky. Frank passed away on Nov. 27, 2014 at St. Bernard's Hospital Center in Jonesboro. Frank graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1953, lettering in basketball, baseball, football, and track. After graduating from high school, Frank was recruited to the Ban Johnson semi-pro baseball league in Coffeyville, Kan. In 1954, he went to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss. where he played basketball. In 1957, Frank married the love of his life, Anna Lee Collins. That same year, Frank served in the National Guard at Fort Chaffee, Ark. In 1959, Frank graduated from Arkansas State University where he was a letterman in basketball and obtained a degree in business. In the 1960s, Frank worked for Firestone in Memphis, Tenn., Hallmark in Knoxville, Tenn. and Wonder State Manufacturing in Helena, Ark. In 1964, Frank and his family returned to Jonesboro where he and his brother, Fred, provided men's fashion at Star Clothing house on Main Street. In the 1970s, Frank was active in the political scene with Stanley "Dog" Broadaway and others campaigning to elect Bill Alexander, Dale Bumpers, David Pryor, and Bill Clinton. In 1973, Frank was appointed by Governor Dale Bumpers to serve on the Arkansas State Police Commission. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to the Arkansas State Transportation Commission where he was assigned a government car with a spot light - a perk of the job that was also useful for spotting wildlife and locating his children at night. Frank then made a foray into the banking industry for a number of years at Bank of NEA and Simmons Bank. And Who could forget his "Little Annie" hamburgers sold on Caraway Road in the mid 1980s when he owned the hamburger restaurant, Annie's. Since 1985, he has helped to illuminate the world working as an accounts manager and salesman with his sons at Trinity Lighting. Frank was an avid fisherman and hunter. He took pictures of every fish he ever caught, but not surprisingly, none of them were ever smiling. He hunted throughout his life for whatever hoofed or winged prey was in season. He loved to grill, fry fish and cook. He was famous for his "funeral beans", which for the last 20 years, he provided to friends and loved ones in times of grief. Frank was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend and will be missed by many. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Anna Lee; children, Cindy, Doug and Derek Falls; daughter-in-laws Tina Falls and Amber Falls; brother, Fred Falls and sister, Joann Hill; grandchildren, Leslie Falls Treece, Brian Falls, Amy Falls, Jake Falls and Nicholas Falls and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held today Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014 at Emerson Memorial Chapel from 1-3 p.m. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. in the chapel. Burial will be private. Honorary pallbearers are Skip Covington, Harvey Vincent, Fred Hines, George Osborn, Rick Turman, Chili Davis, Larry Grisham, Tommy Reese, Bill Hurt, Dick Gray, Tom Clark, Dennis Zolper and all of his former teammates, hunting and fishing buddies throughout the years. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Mathews, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401. Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.