Eugene Franklin "Frank" Whiteford

August 20, 1929 - August 13, 2019

Eugene Franklin “Frank” Whiteford age 89 of 23425 Hwy 76 E. passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at the Hospice House of Laurens County. He was born in Cross Hill, SC and was a son of the late Eugene Abrams Whiteford and Mabel Davis Whiteford. Frank was a US Air Force veteran achieving the rank of Sergeant during the Korean War. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton. He began his career in the food service industry at the age of 16 selling hot dogs in the town of Cross Hill. Frank opened his first restaurants in Clinton in 1947 on Broad St. and Sloan St. In 1960 he founded Whiteford’s Giant Burger, having 5 stores in Clinton and the surrounding area. Frank continued to grow his restaurant business and in 1975 owned and operated five Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants which he operated until his retirement 35 years later. He will be remembered as a world traveler but most importantly as a generous mentor to so many as he shared his knowledge and wealth to those that asked. Surviving are his daughter, Berrie Jean Whiteford Rogers (Everette) of Clinton; a brother, Ray Davis Whiteford (Linda) of Clinton; four grandchildren, Jackie Hollingsworth Lowery (Christopher) of Greenwood, Mark Dewayne Howard of Laurens, Wendy Mars Kelly (Scott) of Mountville, Katie Lynn Rogers of Hodges; five great grandchildren, Brandon Chad Hollingsworth, Selena Danielle Hollingsworth, both of Greenwood, Savannah Jean Kelly, Austin Scott Kelly of Mountville, Dylan Ray Howard of Laurens; two great-great grandchildren, Branson Chad Hollingsworth of Ninety Six, Colson Cade Moss of Mountville and two step children from his second marriage. Mr. Whiteford was predeceased by two wives, Florence Cannon Whiteford and Sharon O’Shields Whiteford; a brother, Ernest Mills Whiteford; a daughter and son-in-law; Dianne Whiteford Howard and Milford W. Howard; a grandson, Jamie Allen Mars, a great granddaughter, Valyn Grace Bell and a step-son. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Aug. 16th at 11:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church of Clinton, burial with Military Honors will follow at Pinelawn Memory Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be, Brandon Hollingsworth, Chris Lowery, Steve Whiteford, Austin Kelly, Ernie Whiteford, Mark Howard, Matt Whiteford and Justin Alexander. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made as flowers or donations to the First Baptist Church of Clinton, P.O. Box 95, Clinton, SC 29325 or Hospice of Laurens County, P.O. Box 178, Clinton, SC 29325. The family is at the home, 23425 Hwy 76 E., Clinton, SC. Condolences may be shared online at www.grayfuneralhome.com Gray Funeral Home of Clinton