Franklin Glenell Conner

With unwavering faith in his Savior, a prince among men has gone on to his heavenly reward. Mr. Franklin Glenell Conner passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Jackson Hospital in Marianna, Florida, after extended battles with cancer.

Mr. Conner, the oldest son and middle child of Zetika (LZ) and Beatrice Daniels Conner, was born on January 17, 1937, at Sump Helms Place on the Calhoun county/Jackson county line.

As a boy, Mr. Conner delivered furniture, worked in the furniture manufacturing facility, and plowed their small family acreage with mules. He served in the US Army from 1956 to 1958 as an anti-aircraft missile technician, and was stationed in Fort Jackson, SC, Bethesda, MD, and Germany. He was asked to join the Army band and tour as a guitar player, but declined. After an honorable discharge, Mr. Conner worked briefly at Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee while farming. He attended Chipola Junior College on the GI Bill, and received his high school diploma, followed by vocational training in Agriculture. He received an award for student excellence. He married his love, Eudora Dickson Conner, on January 10, 1962, and they had two children, Patti Conner Everett, and Kevin Dale Conner.

Mr. Conner was an active member of his community, in church, and multiple agriculture organizations. He accepted Christ as a boy and was baptized at Cow Pen Pond. He later was ordained as a deacon at Dellwood Baptist Church, served as deacon at Grand Ridge Baptist Church and Providence Baptist Church. He taught boys’ Sunday School at Grand Ridge Baptist and First Baptist Church Marianna. Throughout his life he was asked to sing solos and play piano for worship services and weddings. He served as church pianist at Grand Ridge Baptist from 1973 to 1982, and was interim pianist at Grand Ridge Methodist until illness overtook him.

A brief list of the organizations on which he served included: Cattleman’s Association President; Farm Bureau Secretary; Board of Livestock Market Chairman; Farm Service Agency Chairman; Florida Peanut Producers Association Board of Directors; Florida Foundation and Seed Corporation President and Board of Directors; Goldkist and Southern States Farm Supply Coop Chairman of the Board; Farmers Home Association Board member; Jackson Soil and Water Conservation Committee Board member, appointed by Florida Governor Martinez; and Southern States Chairman of Nominating Committee for Board of Directors. Mr. Conner said that he strived to be a good, contributing member of his community. Of all his agriculture experiences, his favorites were planting corn and raising cattle.

Mr. Conner was an excellent husband, a beloved father, grandfather “Poppy”, and a respected extended family member. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Vera Lee Conner Harrison.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eudora; his daughter, Patti Conner Everett and husband, Bruce; his son, Kevin Dale Conner and wife, Lori; grandchildren, William Zachary Everett and wife, Tori, Hannah Everett Morrison and husband, Mitchell, Conner Nathaniel Everett, Franklin Maxwell Conner, Reagan Elizabeth Conner; nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, along with many special friends who felt like family as well.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for all the help they have received from numerous friends and healthcare workers, especially as his illness worsened.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Providence Baptist Church with Revs. Charles Kleiser and Johnnie Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow in Cow Pen Pond Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the funeral service.