Franklin “Bozo” Ellison Jr., 76, of Woodville, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026 at CHI St. Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas.
Visitation will begin 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. service time on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Moss Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Woodville. Ministers for service will be eulogist, Reverend Don Rigsby with Reverend Kenneth Mitchell officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be James Bean, Keese Barclay, James Bean Jr., Ander Mitchell, Quincy Steans, Lester Mitchell, Aaron Mitchell, and Van Steans.
Franklin was born February 3, 1950 to Franklin Sr. and Mae Emmer Goolsbee in Woodville, Texas. A 1968 graduate of the old Scott High School in Woodville. He worked for many years at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville. Franklin also served many years as Director of the Moss Hill Cemetery. He was a member of Moss Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he served as an usher. He had been a member of the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge #123 AF & AM.
Franklin was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Sr. and Mae Emmer Goolsbee; sister, Velma Frazier; and brother, Eddie Redd.
He is survived by his sister, Mae Frances Hawkins of Houston; brother, Frankie Wayne Ellison of Woodville; cousins, Ander Mitchell of Round Rock, James Bean and wife Peggy of Woodville, Isabella Mason and husband Carl of Beaumont, Frances Brewer of Beaumont, Clarence Bean of Woodville, Verdia Siggers of Woodville, and Nancy Parker of Houston.
Memorials may be made to the Moss Hill Community Homecoming Association, P.O. Box 652, Woodville, Texas 75979.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.
