Frank Askins Jr.

Bro. Frank Askins Jr.,84, departed this life on Saturday March 24, 2018 in Florence County. He was the husband of Blanche Askins and the father of Vanessa Wood, Phillip Askins and Dr. Howard Askins.

The Veterans Honor Guard of Florence, SC will be in charge of the rites on Friday March 30, 2018 at 4:00pm at the Jackson & McGill Memorial Chapel, Marion.

Wake services are scheduled to be held at the Jackson & McGill Memorial Chapel 612 S. Main St., Marion, SC 29571 on Friday March 30, 2018, 5pm-7pm.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1333 Penderboro Rd., Marion, SC. 29571 on Saturday March 31, 2018 at 1:00pm. He will be laid to rest in the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, Mullins.

Local professional services are entrusted to the Jackson & McGill Funeral Service, Marion.

Directed by Wayne-Russell Funeral Home, Charlotte, NC.

~Obituary~

Frank Askins Jr. was born on May 27, 1933, in a small house in Marion, SC. The Lord called him home in the early morning on Saturday March 24, 2018, in the town he always loved. He was 84 years old. Frank was the second eldest of Frank Askins Sr. and Lenora Vandross, who preceded him in death.

He joins his 4 siblings Margaret, John Camden “JC”, James L. and Mary Lenora, who also preceded him in death. Frank leaves behind the love of his life, Blanche Askins, his three children, Phillip (Loretta), Vanessa (Erick) and Howard (Jan), his 4 baby sisters; Claudette, Ethel, Evelyn and Donna, his 11 grandchildren; Brandon (Morgyn), Erika, Micah, Brianna, Jordan, Noel, Alexis, Sloane, Jared, Luke and Anthony, 3 great grandchildren; Elijah, Myla and Levi and a host of cousin, extended family members and friends.

Bub as he was known by his siblings spent his formative years and young adulthood in Marion, SC. He was a guard of the Marion Tiger’s football team. Through his fierce, strong structure, he earned the nickname “Iron Man”. His fellow players on the team, along with players from other schools knew the “Iron Man” was to be feared on the field.

Frank moved to New York in 1953. A year later, in 1954, he met who woman who would steal his heart. Frankie, as he affectionately called by Blanche, began a whirlwind romance; however, after joining the Army, he asked Blanche to wait for his return from Germany to marry so that he could provide monetary assistance to help his mother take care of his siblings.

They married two years later in 1956. He knew he hit the jackpot and vowed to provide for her endlessly. The two never left each other’s side after that. They had their first child in 1958 and the Askins legacy began.

As Frank was “Iron Man” on the football field, he also was “Iron Man” throughout his life. He was a true man’s man. He believed throughout steadfast preparation, some determination, and a mountain of faith in the Lord, success was inevitable. He worked his way up to Supervisor before he retired from the New York City Transit Authority. As a child of God, Frank lived his life to serve the Lord through charity, worship, community service and love. He loved the Lord; he loved his neighbors far and wide; he loved the stranger that came to the door asking for help; he loved his church and his pastor; and he loved his family unconditionally.

Family meant everything to Frankie. No matter the weather, location, or time of year, nothing would stop him from being at a graduation, a school party, a band concert, football games, basketball games and so on. There was no end to the love Frankie had to share. He was so proud of his children’ s and grandchildren’s achievements, proudly boasting to anyone that would listen. He always mentioned how his grandchildren and great grandchildren would lead tomorrow. He was happy to see the ones he loved climb the great mountain of life.

A world traveler in retirement. Frank enjoyed seeing the world with his wife taking her places he visited while in the Army. They travelled to Egypt, Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy and a host of other locations throughout the world and the United States. His kindness and well-known temperament have positively affected those all around him. Frank was a force to be reckoned with. He will be sorely missed by all

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