Frank Norvel Fleetwood, the son of Curtis and Rebecca Addeline (McRaven) Fleetwood, was born Jan. 27, 1919, and passed from this life Feb. 15, 2005, in Ava, at the age of 86 years. Frank was a resident of Ava for most of his life.
Frank worked in the timber, owned and operated sawmills. In his retirement years he has recycled metal, he enjoyed working, but his greatest joy was his music and dancing. He wrote several songs, sang and taped them for his friends and family. He enjoyed his life to the fullest and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Frank had a very caring and loving personality.
On Nov. 19, 1940, Frank and Retha Hicks were united in marriage in Mtn. Grove, Mo., and to this union six children were born, four sons, Paul and wife Wanda, Marvin and wife Sybil, David (Bob) and wife Shirley, all of Ava, and John of Neosho; one daughter, Gerelene and husband Clinton McFarlin, Jacksonville, Florida; 20 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Frank and Joyce Harper were married in 1980, he is survived by a step-daughter, Tammy Pearce; and three step-grandchildren from this marriage.
Frank is survived by his long time companion, Alberta Myers; her beloved children, Linda Woods, of Ava, Robert and Randy Myers, Kansas City, Mo., David Myers, Virginia, Myra Lawrence, Florida; 11 step-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren.
Also surviving is a sister, Pearl Evans, Ava; two brothers, Francis Fleetwood, of Forsyth, and Albert Fleetwood, of Florida.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Tommy; his parents; two sisters, Delvie Harvey and Gertie Tate; two brothers, Ira and Marion Fleetwood.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Larry Vinson officiating. Interment will be in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 6-7 p.m., in the funeral home. Services are under the direction of the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
