John Franklin Baucum, 90, of Decatur, Mississippi, gained his wings on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Hilltop Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Union, Mississippi. He was born Wednesday, July 2, 1930, in Newton County.

Graveside Services will be held Friday, March 12, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Dr. James Spencer and Bro. Ben Laird will officiate. Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (601) 635-3200

Legionnaire and Air Force Veteran, Frank Baucum, was a member of the American Legion Post 89. He was also a deacon at Poplar Springs Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Ella Baucum; brothers, William Perry Baucum, Wilson Herbert Baucum, Bernard Welch Baucum, Virgil Preston Baucum, and James Mars Baucum; sisters, Lois Arnett Elmore, Nina May Harwood, Audrey Payton, and Lena Gertrude Cleveland.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary Baucum; daughter, Anita Marshall (David); grandsons, Daniel Marshall (Ashley) and Andrew Marshall (Brooke); great-grandson, John Archer Marshall; great-granddaughter, Everly Rose Marshall; sister-in-law, Dorothy McGee.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Poplar Springs Baptist Church.