Frank LeGrant Walden, 84, died Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at his home in Suffolk.

Born in Nansemond County, he was the husband of Ruby Holland Walden, and a son of the late Ellen B. and Willis W. Walden. Three brothers Warrick, Gilmer and Fletcher Walden, and two sisters, Mary Walden and Felicia Wallace, preceded him in death.

At an early age, he became a member of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where he served on the usher board, and served as a deacon and trustee.

He received his education in the Nansemond County Public Schools and graduated in 1938.

He worked as a licensed brickmason for more than 39 years, being credited with building schools, churches, homes, hospitals, commercial, federal, state, and local government buildings. He farmed for many years until his health declined in the late ’80s.

He served in the United States Army during World War II with tours in the South Pacific in New Caledonia, Iwo Jima, and other areas.

He was active in civic and community service. He was a past member of the Holland-Holy Neck Civic League; the Nansemond Community Center and the Tidewater Fair Association

He was a life member of the NAACP and a charter member of Holland American Legion Post No315. He was Past Worshipful Master of the Holland Masonic Lodge No. 256.

He is survived by his devoted, loving wife of 57 years, Ruby Holland Walden; four children, Janice &uot;J. Pat&uot; Walden, Suffolk; Olin L. Walden (Judy), Hampton; Sandra W. Kiah (William), Cincinnati, Ohio; and Pearl W. Thomas (John Charles), Richmond; 11 grandchildren, Lorrie Fitts (Adrian,) Donna, Chiwahn, Erin, and Kristina Walden, Sarah Laura and Stephanie Kiah; and John Jr., Ruby, and Lewis Thomas; one brother, Allison Walden, Smithfield; two sisters, Juanita W. Barnes, Suffolk and Adelaide Waters, Roosevelt Island, N.Y.; three sisters-in-law, Inez Walden and Sarah Jean Walden, Suffolk and Vernell Walden, Smithfield; many nieces, nephews, adopted children, close relatives, and friends; and a devoted caretaker, Fannie Ruffin.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 6100 Holy Neck Rd., Suffolk, with the Rev. Joseph H. Goode and Dr. Ralph Reavis of Lynchburg, officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in memory of our loved one to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc., 1250 Hyland Blvd., Suite 4B, Staten Island, N.Y. 10305-1946.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 6-8 p.m. today in the William M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 224 South Main St., Franklin.