Joe Franklin "Frankie" Bunton

Joe F. “Frankie” Bunton of Ridgeland, SC passed away Sunday, August 16, 2020 at his residence with family by his side.

Frankie was born August 6, 1938 to Luther and Mary Bunton of Ridgeland. Frankie had an amazing journey through life, being an All-State Basketball Player for the Ridgeland Tigers in high school. After high school, Frankie was in the US Army. While stationed in Germany, he met and fell in love with his future wife, F. Baerbel Nemitz of Bremen, Germany. They got married and started their journey together on April 4, 1965 at the Hardeeville Methodist Church.

Frankie spent his working life in Route Retail Sales, working with Foremost Dairies, owning two ice cream distributor shops with Meadow Gold and PET Dairies. Frankie retired from the Sara Lee Co. in 2010 after a 20-year career in the bread business.

Frankie and Baerbel raised three boys in Ridgeland with the last name Bunton, and whoever else showed up at the house. Frankie was very active with his boys in baseball, basketball, and a good day of fishing with one of his boys paddling the boat. He always said he had three perfectly good trolling motors.

Frankie is survived by his wife of 55 years, F. Baerbel Bunton of Ridgeland; sons, Hans Bunton of Virginia Beach, VA, John (Darlene) Bunton of Ridgeland, and Chris (Allison) Bunton of Ridgeland; sisters, Grace Cooler of Bluffton, SC and Sarah White (Larry) of GA; sister-in-law, Sue Bunton of Kershaw, SC; grandchildren, Ryan (Jennifer) Bunton of Orangeburg, SC, Zachary Bunton of Orangeburg, SC, Haley (Jesse) Bunton of Rowesville, SC, Anna Jean Bunton of Ridgeland, and Olivia Joy Bunton of Ridgeland; and three great-grandchildren, Brentley, Peyton, and Layla of Orangeburg.

The family wishes to honor one of Frankie’s last requests by asking in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Frankie always felt like every child deserves a chance for a good life. The funeral service will be held at 5:00 pm, Friday, August 21, 2020 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

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