B. Frank Coggins, Jr.

ELBERTON, GA - B. Frank Coggins, Jr., passed away Monday, March 4, 2013. Born in Atlanta on July 14, 1927, Frank was the son of the late Burton F. Coggins and Lollie Kimble Coggins. He is survived by three loving daughters, Mary Aillene Coggins of Atlanta, Nancy and Joel Seymour of Elberton, and Sarah and Matthew Williams of Athens; three grandchildren, Franklin and Elizabeth Whitworth, Christopher Whitworth, and Graham Williams. He is also survived by a brother, John Kimble Coggins and a number of nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his faithful and loyal business associates, Shirley Shell McNeely and Judy Carroll. He is preceded in death by his beloved sister, Anne Coggins DeBorde. In addition to the above, he is survived by his loving caregivers, Lisa Worley, Sandra Massey, Lynda Hogsed, Lynelle Aaron, Julie Saylers, Jackie Rhodes Smith, and Patty Morrison. Frank attended E. Rivers Elementary School in Atlanta and Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia and graduated from Marist College in Atlanta. He attended four quarters at the Univeristy of Georgia and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received an honorable discharge in August 1946 and then returned to UGA to resume his studies and graduated in 1948 with a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduating, he came to Elberton to join his family business in 1949 and to make Elberton his permanent home. He served for a number of years as President of Coggins Granite, Inc, which at one time was the largest and most modern granite quarrying and manufacturing company in the United States and Canada. He was a member of the Elberton Granite Association where he served as President in 1967-68, the American Monument Association, Elberton Elks Lodge, Elberton Rotary Club where he served as President 1974-75 and had perfect attendance for 42 years, the Elberton Country Club, and Game Coin International. He also had the honor of being in the Advanced Management Program at Emory University which he completed in 1961. Through his love for his community, he worked tirelessly in the 60's and 70's to recruit industry for Elberton. He attended numerous seminars to educate himself on the aspects of attracting industry and spent untold hours on many projects. In 1972, the biggest success was the carpet backing operation of A. Jalil. Frank was so convinced that this would be good for Elberton, he and his family arranged to purchase the bonds covering the cost of the building to assure that the plant would locate in Elberton. He was recognized several times with The Community Service Award by the Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, he had the distinction of being the first to receive the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Award. With that award came the words, "our Ambassador has demonstrated over and over again that the interest of Elbert County holds a higher calling than personal interest." He valued so highly the possibility of a technical college in Elbert County that he donated 42 acres of prime real estate to benefit Athens Technical College and the people of this region. He waged a relentless campaign to push for the four-laning of Highways 72 and 17, and has been ever vigilant to promote the development of Lake Russell State Park and Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course. These are only a few of the many visionary projects that Mr. Coggins has undertaken to benefit Elbert County. His undying love for Elberton and Elbert County can be seen through his generosity where the entire community benefitted to some degree. He has donated land for so many projects including Athens Technical College's Elbert County Campus, Elbert County Library, Elberton Christian Church, Samuel Elbert Academy, Love in Action Church, Jehovah's Witness Church, American Legion, and numerous others. In addition to land donations, monetary contributions have been made to civic and charitable organizations, as well as local law enforcement agencies and Elbert County Government. Through the generosity of Frank and his siblings, John and Anne, they made funds available to honor their father by funding the B.F. Coggins, Sr. Tennis Complex at McWilliams Park. His hobby was working, although he did indulge in several trips abroad for hunting expeditions including numerous trips to Africa, Nepal, and South America. He later became acquainted with the island chain, Turks & Caicos, British West Indies. So fond of Providenciales, the major island in the group, he acquired a home there and spent several months each year at the location overseeing the land holdings of his company. Frank was dedicated to his church, St. Alban's Episcopal, which he attended faithfully until his health started to fail. He had served in numerous positions at his church including Treasurer and Senior Warden. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 6, at The Elberton First United Methodist Church's Cross & Flame building from 12:30-2:30PM. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 6, at 3:00 in the afternoon at The Elberton First United Methodist Church with the Rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, The Reverend John Keeler, officiating. A private burial will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Park in the Coggins Family Plot. Pallbearers are Franklin Whitworth, Christopher Whitworth, Joel Seymour, Matthew Williams, Jim Stovall, and Walter McNeely. Allen Nicas will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family is at their respective homes. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 109 Brookside Drive, Elberton, Georgia 30635, Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation ℅ Frank Coggins, Jr. Endowment, 4 Medical Drive, Elberton, Georgia 30635, or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton, Georgia, 706-283-5142, is in charge of the arrangements for B. Frank Coggins, Jr.