THIS IS YOUR LIFE written by Linda Ashe Adams

Let's see now, it was 1920 in a beautiful place called Charlottesville, Virginia, when John and Minnie Ashe gave birth to a happy baby boy. Let's call him Franklin, they said…Franklin Lee. And it was so…Frank was one of 7 children. Two of his sisters died when they were young, but his other 2 sisters and 2 brothers were dear to him, and he still has a special relationship with Samuel, Margaret, and Mildred. Frank grew up in a Christian home with his Dad being a minister. His parents were very special people who touched a lot of hearts. Franklin spent a lot of his growing up years in a little town called Selma. By the time he was a teenager, he had developed a great love for two things…automobiles and girls….But especially one girl touched his heart and still does. His heart were pitter-patter when he found Bernice Moore, a gal from Schoolfield, Virginia. This gal was dating his cousin at the time, but as soon as she spotted Franklin, her eyes were only for him. Frank married his "Bunny" on August 8, 1942

and for at least 58 more years, kept her by his side. This was a tough time in the forty's because of World War 11 and those darn Germans. Now Franklin was called to do his duty for his country, and he went willing, although not very happy about it, because he was leaving His Bunny and their 1st offspring on the way. He would not see her or Frank Jr. until his little boy was 18 months old. But that little fellow knew his Dad when he came home. Franklin served in several battles and received the Bronze Metal for carrying food & ammunition to his fellow troops under enemy fire during the Battle of Normandy. What a powerful time in his life. In 1945, Franklin came home, never to return. This happy family moved to Richmond and bought their 1st home for…can you believe this….$ 4700…wow. Frank was a hard worker, working on his 2nd love…cars….By the way, Frank bought his 1st car for $ 10, It was a 1929 Chevrolet with a broken axle. His fixed the car and sold it two weeks later and bought a model A Ford…Bet you would like to have this car now. Then in 1947. another baby came along…a boy…Richard..This was great but they still needed a girl to make their family complete, so in 1949 along came Linda. Needless to say, being the youngest and only girl, I think Linda might have been spoiled by her "Daddy". But that was ok because Bunny kept her in line…Frank & Bunny raised their family in Richmond, but when that was finished their moved to a little town called Hartfield and lived there from 1985- 1990. In 1988, they went to visit a beautiful place on the Gulf coast of Florida and they fell in love with Bradenton. This is where they decided to spend the golden years, (and their kids inheritance) so they bought a pretty condo and headed south. What Fun they have been having.

Well it is now September 9, 2000 and Franklin is 80 years old (although he would pass for a much younger man with the heart of a 25 year old). His children want to take this time to say just how much he is loved…..So….Dad, you have done a lot in your 80 years, but mostly you have been a very special Dad, husband, and Friend to many.. people who all LOVE YOU DEARLY. You have always been good to your family and given us the love and care we needed along with the discipline needed to make us who we are today. You are fighting the awful cancer, . But do not worry you have GOD on your side along with everyone else, and we will beat this thing. We will always be here for you, and for Mom. We also want to Thank You for all you have done for us, and for all the memories. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU FOR OUR DAD.

YOUR LOVING CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES, GRANDCHILDREN, AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

LINDA & RONNIE, - ANGIE-&-ROBERT, & APRIL

RICHARD & CATHY -TRAVIS / , JENNIFER-&-MARK, :Brittany

FRANKIE JR. & LAVERNE

FRANKIE 3RD & AMANDA, & AMY

FRANKIE 4TH ASHLEY

..by the way…there are now Franklin Lee Ashe…4 times…you really left a legend….

Serviced in WW 2, he went to England, trained for the invasion of Normandy, Crossed English Channel to Normandy on D+10. In his service in Normandy, He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in action, carrying ammo to fellow troops through the Hedgerow country. He was in the 83rd divides ion.

On the breakout from Normandy, his unit went out to Brittany, France and liberated the city of Breast, France. During his service he was under the command of the 1st army commanded by General Bradley. He moved across France to Luxenberg in December 1944, & his unit was transferred under the command of General Patton's 3rd army, during the Battle of the Bulge. Then his division went into Belgium, to free or liberate Bastien. In 1945, under the command of Bradley's 1st army, his unit moved into Germany fighting across Germany, to the Elbe River, where at the end of the war, they met up with the Russian army from the East. This was the last battle of the war.

When he was in France, he was on one side of the street and saw his wife's brother (Doug) on the other side of the street.

Franklin L Ashe