Francis Lavender

Francis M. "Frank" Lavender III TUSCALOOSA | SSG Francis M. ""Frank"" Lavender III, U.S. Army-Retired, died Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Hospice of West Alabama. The graveside funeral service, with military honors, will be held at Havana United Methodist Church cemetery in Havana, Alabama, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2015, with son-in-law Rev. Tim Douglas and Rev. Steve Vernon officiating and Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home-South directing. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home-South Tuscaloosa. Born in Moundville, Alabama, on Feb. 5, 1930, he was the son of the late Francis M. Lavender II and the late Edwina Perry Lavender. He retired from the United States Army (32nd Engineering Division) after proudly serving his country from 1950-1990 (age 20-60). Over the 40 years of service in the United States Army, SSG Lavender received the Bronze Star Medal. He was also a member of the 1166th MP Company, Greensboro National Guard for 28 years. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he worked with Mutual Savings Insurance Company and retired as an agent from that company in 1992. He also worked for Colson Building Supply of Greensboro. He was also known to others as a son, a brother, a husband, a dad, an uncle, a do-daddy, ""The Goat Man"", and to a great many others....a friend. Among his special interests and hobbies were gardening, cooking, canning, football, hunting, fishing, and running his goat farm. Surviving are his wife, Billie Lancaster Lavender; two sons, Frank Lavender (Diane) of Demopolis, Alabama, and Jerry Lavender (Cynthia) of Greensboro, Alabama; two daughters, Faye Lavender of Greensboro, Alabama and Ann Lavender Douglas (Tim) of Vincent, Alabama; six grandchildren, Jerry Wayne Lavender (Brittney) of Greensboro, Alabama, Chelsea Lavender of Birmingham, Alabama, Jason Lavender (Catie) of Greensboro, Alabama, Jessica Lavender of Birmingham Alabama, Wesley Douglas of Birmingham, Alabama, and Chase Douglas of Vincent, Alabama; three great-grandchildren, Levi Lavender, Elleigh Grace Lavender and Lyla Cate Lavender; brothers, James Lavender (Glenda), Ben Lavender (Louise), Ed Lavender, and Andy Lavender (Donna); sisters, Linda Smith (William), Marvis Richey (Jimmy), and Donna Williams; sister-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Lavender. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Lavender; sister-in-law, Maggie Lavender, and brother-in-law, Morris Williams. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Jason Lavender, Jerry Wayne Lavender, Wesley Douglas, and Chase Douglas; nephew, Jimmy Richey, Jr., and friends, Pete Clinton and MAJ Jeff West. Honorary pallbearers are members of the National Guard- 1166th MP Company, doctors and staff of Hale County Hospital, Alabama Home Respiratory, and Dr. Fabian Salinas and Anna. The family would like to thank Hospice of West Alabama, Dr. Fabian Salinas and Anna, Sonja Davis, and everyone at Alabama Home Respiratory along with everyone else who also provided the wonderful medical care for Mr. Lavender. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404.