Ernest Marshall Franson, age 88, of 315 Cline Meadow Road, Covington, Virginia, died Sunday, December 21, 2014 at his residence.

He was born November 17, 1926 in Bath County, a son of the late John Augot Franson and Nellie Blankenship Franson.

He served in the United States Air Force.

He was Vice-President of Alleghany Asphalt and owner of Pave and Save in Covington.

He owned his own paving business since 1948, and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Vickie Leigh Worley and a son, Robert Dale Franson.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Bryant Franson of Covington; a son, John Sidney Franson of Covington; six daughters, Sharon Higgins and husband, Glenn of Clifton Forge, Christy Ioannidis and fiance, Bernie Wade of Covington, Karen Lodge and husband, Gary of Covington, Donna Griffith and husband, Jim of Reno, Nevada, Tammy Slay and husband, Randy of Covington, and Linda Jean Marquardt and husband, J. W. of Clifton Forge; a brother, Bill Franson and wife, Cecille of Staunton; eleven grandchildren, Alex Franson, Chloe Franson, Glen Higgins, Greg Shortridge, Renee Shortridge, Allen Lodge, Katreena Burger, Mike Cash, Chanelle Gonzalez, Belinda Dawn Christian, and Lanty Aaron Clemmons; a number of great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews and a former daughter-in-law, Sammie Brookman.

A graveside funeral service will be conducted at Woodland Cemetery in Millboro on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Woodland Church Cemetery, Bath County with Reverend Howard Merrell officiating.

There will be no formal visitation.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, P. O. Box 60, Low Moor, VA 24457.