CHURCH, JR., Mr. Abram Baker "A.B."Age 81 of Franklin, TN. April 22, 2011. Employed with the U.S. Post Office & City of Franklin Street Department; Adjutant for the American Legion; Veteran of the U.S. Navy - Korean Conflict; Life Member and Past Master of Hiram Lodge #7; Life Member and Past High Priest of Franklin Chapter # 2 Royal Arch Masons; Life Member & Past Illustrious Master of Franklin Council #134 Cryptic Masons; Life Member & Past Commander of DePaynes Commandery #11; Past Governor of the Sovereign York Rite College #143; Past Grand Commander Grand Commandery of the State of TN; Member of Al Menah Shrine, Tennessee Lodge of Research; Past President of the Middle Tennessee York Rite Association; Past President Middle Tennessee Past Masters Associations; Member of Tralee Council of knights Masons, Member of Arch L. McClanahan #358 Allied Masonic Degrees; Member of the Franklin Eastern Star #449 and had received the following Masonic Honors: Order of the Purple Cross; Knight Commander of the Temple from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar; Knight Crusader of the Cross; Royal Order of Scotland; General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Medal; Order of the Silver Trowel; and the Order of the Purple Girdle. Brother Church was also instrumental in the physical preservation of the Hiram Lodge #7 building and the establishment of the AB & Margaret Church Scholarship Fund. A special library room within Hiram Lodge #7 was dedicated earlier this year to honor Brother Church for his outstanding contributions to the Lodge, this community, and the many men he called Brother. Preceded in death by parents, Abram Baker & Willie Mae Southall Church, Sr.; sisters, Reba Schmidt & Mary Buckner. Survived by wife, Margaret Pratt Church; daughter, Savantha (Clem) Fisher; grandchildren, Captain Alex (Erin) Tesar & Nathan Tesar. Funeral Services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2011 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Jim Taylor officiating. Interment, Williamson Memorial Gardens. Active Pallbearers: Marvin & Billy Buckner, John & Joe Schmidt, Chuck Thames & Robert Peay. Honorary Pallbearers: Members of Hiram Lodge #7, Members of American Legion, John E. Stephens Post #22. Memorials may be made to the Hiram Lodge #7 or the American Legion, John E. Stephens Post #22, 115 2nd Ave. S. Franklin, TN 37064-2653. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME.
Published in The Tennessean from Apr. 23 to Apr. 24, 2011
