Frank M. Edenfield, former editor, dies

Frank Miles Edenfield of Millen died Friday, May 2, 2008 at the age of 91. An avid fisherman, Mr. Edenfield died while enjoying an afternoon of fishing in the Ogeechee River with a dear friend.

His funeral was 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Crowe- Fields Funeral Home with Elder Tommy Rountree officiating. Burial was in the Millen Cemetery.

Mr. Edenfield attended Old Canoochee Primitive Baptist Church and was a member of the Boch Sunday School Class of Millen Baptist Church.

A lifelong resident of Millen, Mr. Edenfield (also known as Mr. Frank, Frank, Uncle Frank or Uncle Nank) loved his hometown and devoted many years of service to his community.

For 39 years, he served on the Millen Fire Department. In 1946, he joined the Millen Lions Club where he was club president, Augusta District Zone chairman, Augusta District governor, district governor and, in 2005, was awarded the International President's Certificate of Appreciation for having been a member for 60 years.

He was on the Board of Managers of the Georgia Press Association for two terms and served as director of the Georgia Municipal Association for four terms. For 20 years he served on the Millen City Council and served as chairman of the Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Jenkins County Development Authority for 20 years.

In World War II, Mr. Edenfield served in the United States Navy as chief electrician on the USS Mobile. He often recounted with pride the time that the Mobile was the first ship to sail into Japanese waters to rescue prisoners of war. He organized yearly reunions of his former shipmates, whom he regarded as lifelong friends.

Mr. Edenfield was editor-inchief of The Millen News. He purchased the paper in 1946 with Walter Harrison, with a simple handshake. He operated the paper with excellence and commitment until his retirement in 1998.

Mr. Edenfield was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Euris Rountree Edenfield; his parents, Edward Miles and Manie Reynolds Edenfield; and his brother, Wilmer Mack, and his wife, Annie Mae Edenfield.

His memory will be treasured by a host of friends and most especially by his family who loved, admired and respected him.

Survivors include his nieces, Maxanne Edenfield Edmunds, and her husband, Cleve, and Nan Edenfield Brooks, and her husband, Carl; grand-nephews, Stephen Allmond and Taylor Brooks; grand-niece, Jana Jordan; sisters-in-law, Beverly Rountree of Gordon, Ruth Harris of Augusta and Sara (Ivey) Clark of Garfield; and nephews and nieces-in-law, John Harris, Carolyn Deal, Mary Berry, James Clark, Clay Clark, John Clark, Rhonda Rowe, Stan Rountree and Lindsey Rountree.

Active pallbearers were Taylor Brooks, John Clark, James Clark, Stan Rountree, Lindsey Rountree, Jason Berry, Jarrett Berry and Stephan Allmond.

Honorary pallbearers were Matt Wallace, Lamar Gay, Bobby Dwelle, Gordon Sasser, Wayne Bennett, C.J. Lane, Johnny Wilson, Edward Wilson, Gene Hall, Rufus Small and George Taylor.

Memorials may be made to the Old Canoochee Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Tommy Rountree, 231 Harmon Road, Swainsboro, GA 30401.