FRANK WALKER FICKLING JR.

Frank Walker “Smokey” Fickling Jr., 95, husband of Hazel Graham Fickling, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Agape House of Lexington.

Born Oct. 20, 1928, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Frank Walker Fickling Sr. and Thelma Troublefield Fickling. He was a member of Bible Fellowship Church and retired from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company after 35 years of service. He was very active in the Republican Party.

Survivors include his wife of 77 years; three children, Debbie Grooms (Ronnie) of Sumter, Gary Fickling (Katharine) of Manning and Frank W. Fickling III (Andrea) of Sumter; grandchildren, Megan Grooms Manus (Gordon), Katie Grooms Chisholm (Dave), Brittany Wellborn (Trey), Laura Ashley Miller (Bruce), Charlotte Herod (Ben), Gray Anderson (Kristen), Lee Anderson and Frank “Walker” Fickling IV (Reena); and great-grandchildren, Coleman Manus, Alaina Chisholm, Kayla Chisholm, McCoy Chisholm, Jack Wellborn, Lily Wellborn, Emma Miller, Avery Kate Herod, Hadley Herod, Zoey Herod, Cohen Anderson, Miller Anderson, Hayes Anderson and Oliver Fickling.

He was preceded in death by a brother, James A. Fickling, and a sister, Betty Galloway.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Bible Fellowship Church with the Rev. Allen Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Sumter Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Gordon Manus, Dave Chisholm, Walker Fickling, Lee Anderson, Trey Wellborn, Jack Wellborn, Hugh Hodge and Steve Fickling.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Women’s Sunday School Class of Bible Fellowship Church.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday at Bible Fellowship Church and other times at the home.

The family would like to express their appreciation to his special caregivers for all of their loving and compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to Bible Fellowship Church, 227 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.