Tom Franklin Etheridge
(April 25, 1925 - January 4, 2009)

TOM FRANKLIN ETHERIDGE
ASHFORD. . .Tom Franklin Etheridge, a resident of Pansey Road, Ashford, died early Sunday morning, January 4, 2009, at his home. He was 83.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Joel Waller and Reverend Mark Redmond officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Cemetery in Pansey. Holman-Headland Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A. M. Tuesday in the church.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Wiregrass Hospice, Inc., P.O. Drawer 2127, Dothan, AL. 36302.

Mr. Etheridge was born and reared in Houston County, son of the late Eugie Franklin Etheridge and Missie Bell Peterson Etheridge. An Army veteran of World War II, he served his country in the occupation of Okinawa and received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Army of Occupation Ribbon (Japan), the Victory Ribbon and two Overseas Service Bars. Mr. Etheridge also proudly served in the Ashford and Dothan Army National Guard, Dixie Division, which was activated during the Korean Conflict. He was discharged as a Technical Sergeant from the military. Mr. Etheridge formerly lived in Memphis, Tennessee where he was a graduate of the Radio Announcers School and was employed by the Pen Shop. He lived near Ashford most of his lifetime and was retired as the owner and operator of Etheridge Upholstery. In earlier years, Mr. Etheridge was employed by the Cover Shop in Dothan. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, near Ashford, where he served as a Deacon. Mr. Etheridge loved and enjoyed singing and gospel music. He was preceded in death by a sister, Hazel Anglin.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Virginia McKinnon Etheridge, Ashford; two daughters, Sandra Platz and husband, Pete Platz, Ashford; Robin Conrad, Ashford; a son, Van Franklin Etheridge and wife, Cathy Etheridge, Columbia; a brother, Jimmy Etheridge and wife, Edwina Etheridge, Ashford; ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Serving as active pallbearers will be his son, Van Ethridge, his brother, Jimmy Etheridge, a grandson, Dan Hall, great-grandsons, Chris Beavers and Adam Beavers and also a family friend, Dennis Faison.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Wiregrass Hospice, Inc. for the loving care and kindness shown to Mr. Etheridge during his illness.