Franklin B. Alley, DVM, born March 10, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on March 15, 2025 at his home in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 83, following a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease.
Frank grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and spent considerable time at the family farm in Somerville, Tennessee. He graduated from Memphis University School and subsequently met his wife of fifty-nine years, Jeannie, while a student at Vanderbilt University. Frank received a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt and D.V.M. from the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Frank loved animals and veterinary medicine was his true calling. A gifted surgeon and diagnostician, Frank practiced as a veterinarian for over forty years and found great satisfaction in working with his kind and knowledgeable staff to provide excellent veterinary care. He worked primarily in Donelson and founded his own practice, Elm Hill Veterinary Clinic in 1975. In addition, Frank was a co-founder of the Nashville Pet Emergency Clinic, served as President of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association and made multiple talk radio appearances as a guest expert on veterinary medicine.
Frank married Martha Jean “Jeannie” Sadler on April 24, 1965, at Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church in Donelson, Tennessee, where they remained lifelong members. During their almost sixty years of devoted marriage, Frank and Jeannie shared a love of family, raising their three children and maintaining close ties with extended family. Frank’s love of family is shared by the younger generations and his seven grandchildren will greatly miss their PopPaw. Frank approached life with humor, energy, hard work, and integrity. He loved spending time at his farm near Bucksnort, Tennessee, where work was his play. He loved making pancakes for the grandkids, fixing things, and supporting Auburn football.
Fran was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Frank H. and Evelyn U. Alley. He is survived by his wife, Jean S. “Jeannie” Alley; sister, Arminta “Sally” Bishop, married to George Bishop; son, Mark F. Alley, daughter-in-law, Olesya Alely and their children Alex, Andrew and Anna; daughter, Laura Barquero, son-in-law, Carlos Barquero, and their children Sofia and Amanda; and daughter, Susan Welch, son-in-law, Andy Welch, and their children, Lillian and Sarah.
A Celebration of Frank’s life is tentatively planned for June 21, 2025, with time and location to be confirmed soon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s (https://petersonforparkinsons.networkforgood.com/projects/90343-donate) or The Michael J. Fox Foundation (https://www.give.michaeljfox.org/give/489725/#!/donation/checkout).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Alley family by selecting “Add a Memory” at the bottom of this page. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
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