Ardrice Franks

Ardrice Fay Joyce “Joyce” Jones Franks, age 78, of Johns Creek, Georgia passed on July 8, 2017, after a brief illness. Joyce was a 55-year resident of Wilmington, DE, and had recently returned to reside in her native Georgia with her beloved husband of 42 years, Roger Franks, whom she married on February 14, 1975.

Born in Tucker, GA, on December 17, 1938, she was predeceased by her parents, Newell Malcolm Jones, Esq. and Ardrice Marcus Jones Wickersham of Atlanta, GA. Growing up, she was a successful student who loved to play the piano, dance, and sing in the choir. She graduated magna cum laude from Emory University and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She worked for DuPont, in Wilmington, for many years, and upon retiring, became an avid gardener and needle pointer. Throughout their marriage, she and Roger travelled extensively, including trips to China and Iran. Over the years, she held leadership roles in many genealogical and historical societies, including Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Jamestowne Society, and published a book on one of the lines of her descendants. She was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE.

In addition to her husband Roger, survivors include daughters Barbara Ann Johnson (Hallett III) of Birmingham, AL, Deborah Cain of Wilmington, DE, Jennifer Hilliard of Pensacola, FL, and Kathryn Hale of Cumming, GA; son, Arthur Hale III (Mary Ellen) of Cumming, GA; her sister, Carol Dowd (John) of Destin, FL, and her brother Malcolm “Mike” Jones (Pat) of Cleveland, GA; grandchildren Hallett IV and Nick Johnson, Nina Johnson Rance, Jeffrey, Justin, and Eric Cain, Neale and Haiden Panzram, Jamie, Claire, and William West, and Charlie and Julia Hale; great-grandchildren Hallett V, Holten, and Harlow Johnson, Muse and Mason Panzram, and Hayden and Lucy Cain; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Hunter Funeral Home Chapel in Clayton, GA beginning at 1:30pm with services at 3:00 P.M. conducted Rev. James E. Turpen. followed by her burial at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Tiger, GA, next to her parents and other family members.