Back to Obituaries Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home | Athens, GA

Edward Frank Gresham, Sr.

Passed 08/29/2025

Obituary For Edward Frank Gresham, Sr.

Edward Frank Gresham, age 74, of Athens, GA, passed August 29, 2025.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Poplar Spring Baptist Church,4214 Athens Highway, Jefferson, GA with interment in the church cemetery.

Viewing, Friday 2-6 PM, at the funeral home.

Survivors include: his wife of 52 years, Janis Rakestraw Gresham; 4 children: Edward Frank, Jr. (Jessica), Paris (Emma), Tylecia (Segric) and Kayante (Cierra); and 14 grandchildren: Jodeci, Davante (Alexis), Ashley, Dayton, Kelsei, Dilon, Blake, Dayshun, Jquavious, Christopher, Taโ€™Niyah, Xavier, Dorโ€™Nisha and Alyssa; and five great grandchildren; Jrue, Asher, Iโ€™sland, Mariah and Tianna; 5 siblings, Angel Gresham, Crystal Gresham, Dilmus Hunter, Jr., Tommy Hunter and Joyce Dotson; 2 brothers in law, John Rakestraw (Bessie) and Willie Rakestraw; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home


Services

Public Viewing

Sep
5
Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home | Athens, GA

1253 West Broad Street
Athens, GA 30606

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Get Directions

Funeral Service

Sep
6
Poplar Spring Baptist Church

4214 Athens Highway
Jefferson, GA 30549

12:00 PM
Get Directions

Condolences & Tributes

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I miss you so much daddy; not sure how I'm going to natigave thru this life without you and your love for us, but I have peace knowing that you are now my guardian angel for the rest of my life. Love your baby girl Kayante.

Kayante Gresham

Angel, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family with the the loss of your brother. Love Cathy and Jim Bedell

Cathy Bedell

My condolences to the family.

Eileen Watson

Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family,friends and community and also church family of Deacon Edward Frank Gresham,Sr. It also a pleasure to greet Deacon Frank,either when I preached at his SummerHill Church or at our standard CC's pizza with his lovely wife and their grandchildren right by their parents. His smile, encouraging words,and authentic spirit always lifted my day. He always showed concern for my son, Daniel whenever we met in the paths of life out and about. Thank you Deacon for being a cool and respectful brother in the faith. Praying also for Mrs. Gresham and also my sister in Christ,Angel Gresham in this difficult period of grief and loss. Pastor Miller

Pastor Sharon Miller

Sending heartfelt condolences to the family,friends and community of Deacon Edward Frank Gresham,Sr. Our family was so respectfully fond of Deacon Gresham, a faithful spirit,always friendly and greeted us with a kind heart along with his lovely wife; whether when I preached at his church,Summer Hill,or at a local place to eat in the Athens area; it has been a joy knowing Deacon Gresham.May his memory be a blessing and may he live on as others call his name Sharon McDaniel

Pastor Sharon Miller

I remember as a child how you and my dad fixed his car at 2 am when we had broke down going home!! I said to you the last time I saw you how much I appreciated you for being you!! You always had the same smile and kind heart everywhere I saw you...!! Thank you for being there ...never judging..but listening!! We love y'all and GB the Gresham family ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ-Donny Chappell and family

Donny Chappell

Never saw him without a smile and always asked how all my family was doing. Rest in heaven

Johnnie Edwards

Condolences to the Family, Frank was an exceptional man, he always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say he epitomized; Love thou neighbor. Rest in paradise.

Larry Ford

Frank was a God fearing man full of wisdom and knowledge. He was selfless, always willing to help others and always put family first. One of my fondest memories of Frank is the wrestling matches we would have when he would babysit us as children. Prayers of comfort for the family. Rest in peace Frank aka "Bassum" until we meet again. Love Chico & Annetta

Chico Derricotte

Sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time you are in my prayers ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ

Gloria Heard

Wishing the Gresham Family Peace, Comfort, and Strength during this difficult time. May loving memories carry you all through the days ahead. โ€”The Kelly Family (Double-gate)

The Kelly Family

I'm gonna miss my talks with my big brother. He could always put a smile on my face even though we were miles apart. Frank sure loved his family and was proud of them. Now he's in Heaven with mama, grandma and a host of other family members. One day we'll be united again 'big bruh'.

Crystal Gresham

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE GRESHAM AND HUNTER FAMILY.

Jeffery Damons

Rest In Peace Frank always a Good Sport whether on the Basketball Court or Off.Saw You a few months ago at Wayne Lay Homegoing and as usual you hit me with that smile and handshake. Love and Light To You And Your Family ๐Ÿ™โค๏ธ

Leroy huff jr

Our deepest sympathy is with the family during this difficult time...Please know that we are here for you! Time May pass and fade away, but memories of Frank will always stay!!

Edward, Brenda Smith & Family

Sending prayers and condolences to the family.

April Bruns

To the Gresham family,may your memories bring you comfort,I worked with Frank years.

Susie Mckeever

My condolences to the family and the love and peace of God be with you now and in the days ahead. Rest in Peace, Ernest Frank Gresham๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ.

Alberta M. Lay

My Prayer's go out to the family of the late Frank Gresham. my childhood friend so many memories playing together at his grandmother Mrs. Mary Gresham house. i had so much respect for him where every i saw him with of without his wife he were Alway the same Frank Gresham with a BIG Smile. R. I. P. My Friend !

Doris Chester Thomas

May God give the family comfort during this time of bereavement ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฟ

Margerie Browning

Frank was the nicest and funniest person, always with a smile. My heartfelt condolences to his family

Nancy Endsley

Truly going to miss you Uncle Frank. I'm going to miss you calling me nephew. You always treated me well with so much respect. I love you Uncle Frank.

Rev. Dexter Sims

Frank was such an amazing man. A great deacon, choir singer at Summer Hill, and someone to joke with. We are going to miss you terribly. Rest peacefully in the arms of our LORD !! PRAYERS AND MUCH LOVE FOR MRS. JANIS AND THE GRESHAM FAMILY.

Shannon & Kristy Cox

To The Family, You All Have My Condolences And Sympathy. I Worked With Frank For Many Years At Veratec (Berta Wymbs)

Berta Wymbs

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home | Athens, GA

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