Franklin Woodrow Smith

Franklin “Frank” W. Smith, 80, longtime resident of Brooklyn Center, recently of Burnsville, MN, passed away, Thursday, November 14, 2019 of complications from esophageal cancer.

A celebration of life will be held in the future when his children, grand-children and great-grand-children are able to be present, in a private setting.  He had fought cancer 5 times in his life time, therefore Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, in his name. Those wishing to sign Franklin’s guestbook may do so here.

Franklin was born January 13, 1939 in Alexandria, Virginia to Woodrow and Leslie (Zimbro) Smith. He was a very talented tile contractor, which was a trade he learned from his uncle when he was a young adult. On May 19, 1961 he married Sandra (Mueller) Smith of Menominee, NE in Virginia. They had 6 children. They were separated in May 1999 and divorced in November 2016.  He enjoyed to work and after having his own business for many years, worked with his sons (who are also tile contractors) prior to his retirement. He traveled a bit, in the United States in his “retirement”. Spending most of his time with his youngest son in Alaska and his sister and niece in Virginia. He enjoyed gardening, watching old westerns, playing cards, listening to the old country music and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Franklin is survived by his three sons, Franklin J Smith of Golden Valley, Don S Smith of Coon Rapids, Michael S Smith of Anchorage, Alaska; his two daughters, Terri L Smith (with spouse David Wagner) of Lake Worth, FL and Lisa J Lassiter (with spouse Barry Lassiter) of Shakopee; Six grandchildren, Adam (with spouse Jenna) Weber (3 great-grand-children Stryder, Adalynn and Emelia Weber), Danielle Weber, John Weber, Jason Weber, Allison Lassiter and Caitlin Lassiter; his sisters Jean Hockman (Eldridge Hockman) of Stafford, Virginia and Joyce Batcheler (Pete Batcheler) of  Bremerton, Washington and Elsie Madden (John Madden) of Sacramento, CA, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Leslie, his son, Paul Edward, and his nephew, Todd Carlton.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Franklin Woodrow Smith, please visit our floral store.