Memorial Service for Norman Frank Barnhill, Jr.

Norman Frank "Frankie" Barnhill, Jr. was born to Norman "Bud" and Joan Barnhill on July 7, 1961. He was a lifelong resident of Calhoun County. Frankie was 7 years old when his father passed away, so he became the "little man" of his family. Many fun times were shared with his sisters and brother in playing and he prayed a lot with the kids. Often he would walk with them to the little community store to buy candy. Sometimes Frankie would do without candy so that the others would get theirs. At the age of 12, he and his sister Samantha would walk to the movie theater and watch the films, as they were very close even in age. Though Tammye, Richard, and Norma were much younger , he still loved them very much.

At 10 years, Frankie joined the Salvation Army and worked faithfully with the Christmas kettles throughout the years for other families in need. Between 10 and 12 he was putting together care packages for the elderly in nursing homes and visiting throughout the county. He would go and sing to them, make them laugh, and then pray before leaving.

Frankie was always like a father to his sisters and brother. He would work in the community to earn money to help his mother out and insure that his siblings had food in the home besides insuring they would have a nice Christmas also.

At age 14, he got his first real job at Shoney’s as a cook. He told his mother that he knew his father would have been proud of his becoming a man of the man of the family since his father had gone on. He loved his father and his mother very deeply. He told his mother many times while growing up that she was his inspiration and mentor because she had raised all five children to be respectful to there elders; and they are still to this very day. The children loved everyone besides each and each other and stood together through the good and sad times.

As a very young man, he married and had two sons; Chad and Brent Barnhill. That marriage though only lasted a few years.

At age 19, Frankie started wrestling and truly loved the sport. Some of the professional wrestlers took him under their wing and taught him everything in the sport. Frankie was best known as "The Flame" and held title belts in professional wrestling.

Everywhere he traveled, he never met a "stranger". He had so much love and compassion for others; he had a heart of gold. Frankie loved everyone and life itself. He adored the children in Calhoun County and wanted to help them stay off the streets and out of trouble. Frankie loved wrestling and even taught brother and sisters how to wrestle, having them in the ring also throughout the years. He would promote matches for charity benefits, whether it was for churches and different organizations, or for families who had lost loved ones and had financial needs to be met. Wherever he went, he loved people and had the favor of God with others.

Just a couple Christmas’s ago he reached out to help a single mother of two so her utilities would not be shut off; along with food in the house so she could have a normal Christmas for the two children. Frankie simply was a big "teddy bear" with a big heart. He would always say it’s better to give than to receive.

Frankie met the love of his life, Rhonda Graham (his childhood sweet heart), and married her. He had Danielle as a stepdaughter and later a daughter was born to them, Shelby, who is now 12 years old.

His sons and daughters were both a pride and joy in his life. He also has one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.

Two years ago Frankie invited his brother and sisters to go deep sea fishing in Florida, which was another sport he loved. The family went fishing ans also enjoyed their time there sightseeing and spending time at the beach. He told his family, "We are going to go have fun-in-the-sun," as he called it. Camping with his wife, children, and family was something else he enjoyed as part of loving the outdoors. Many times he took other children along to keep them off the streets, and away from drugs and other troubles. Throughout his life he met and made friends with a lot of people.

Frankie continued to work an outside job even though he had the ACW wrestling building in Anniston. In 2004, he became the manager of the Courthouse Café, owned by Judge Joe Lowrey, whom he respected and thought much of. Rhonda, would work right alongside him in the business. In fact, for many years the two of them worked side-by-side no matter what the job entailed.

Norman Frank "Frankie" Barnhill, Jr.(The Flame) will truly be missed and loved by many within this county, but he will remain in our memories forever.

The Man, The Myth, The Legend; "The Flame"will never be extinguished, his light will burn and shine on as bright as ever!