In the late evening hours of Thursday, April 16, Frank Keese Harbin, 86, passed on to his heavenly reward.He will be fondly remembered by family members, friends, business associates and fellow Church members.Frank was born in Royston, GA on March 26, 1923, the second of five children of the late Frank and Tee Jacks Harbin.

Frank graduated from Royston High School and attended Young Harris College. In the spring of 1941, he and a fellow student from Young Harris, Bill Ashworth of Atlanta, decided college was not what it was cracked up to be and the Canadians needed their help in the war effort.He and Bill hitchhiked from Royston, GA to Montreal, Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.Upon arriving in Montreal, he did not have his birth certificate, which was required to enlist, so he sent a telegraph to his parents in Royston.This was the first time they were aware their son was not in college in Young Harris.Frank served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force for three years before transferring to the US Army Air Corp where he served until the end of WWII.

In 1948 Frank met his future wife, Nell Davis, at the Brown Hospital in Royston.They married in Royston on December 19, 1948. They moved to their farm in Martin, GA where Frank and Nell reared their children, daughters Tee Harbin of Lavonia and Jane Gipson of Carnesville, GA and sons Kenneth Harbin of Jasper, GA and Barron Harbin of Martin, GA.Three sons predeceased them---Mark, Warren, and Jerry.There are seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Frank is also survived by sisters Virginia Adams of Royston and brother Sam Harbin of Lavonia.He was preceded in death by sisters Mary Fain and Agnes Davison Ray of Royston.

Frank joined his father in the family lumber business, Harbin Lumber Company, after his discharge from the military in 1945 and worked until retirement in 1985.He assumed management of the Company in April 1950 when his father died.He was active in many trade associations during his working career as well as serving on the board and as President of the Lavonia and Franklin County Chambers of Commerce.

His love of Lavonia First Baptist Church provided immense joy in his life and he served in numerous capacities over the years.He was in Church on the last Sunday of his life.

Frank and his late wife Nell volunteered their time to plan, prepare and cook the Wednesday night dinners at the Church for several years.They also cooked numerous fundraising dinners for the Lavonia and Franklin County Chambers of Commerce and H.E.A.R.T. Ministry.He and Nell were active golfers and were members of The Hartwell Golf Club for many years.

Services will be conducted by Dr. Larry Finger and Rev. Richard Bielski at 2 P.M, Sunday at Lavonia First Baptist Church.Visitation will be from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Saturday at Strickland Funeral Home in Lavonia.Burial will be at the Harbin Family lot at Rose Hill Cemetery in Royston.

The Family sincerely appreciates the thoughts of those who would send flowers but would prefer memorial contributions be made to H.E.A.R.T. Ministry, 1150 Bear Creek Road, Lavonia, GA30553 or to the Building Fund at Lavonia First Baptist Church,POB47, Lavonia, GA30553.