Frank Malta

Frank Joseph Malta, 79, passed peacefully at home, on November 30th in Ocean Springs, MS— with his family at his side. Born April 25, 1942 and raised in Brookhaven, MS, Frank attended St. Francis Catholic Church, and Brookhaven High School. He completed his education in Business Administration at the University of Mississippi, a brother of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Frank followed the path of both his father and grandfather as an independent grocer, growing his operations to include Piggly Wiggly, Super Valu and Sunflower Food Stores, located in the cities of Monticello, Brookhaven, Prentiss and Wesson in Mississippi, and also in Vidalia, LA. A Lifetime Member of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and noted “Rebel Booster” to his university’s athletic programs, Frank was the proudest supporter of all things OLE MISS. A practical jokester known for his sense of humor and pranking those he loved.

Frank, a pilot, enjoyed flying his plane. He was an avid tennis player and founding sponsor of the annual Atwood Music Festival and Tennis Tournament. In later years, he served as General Manager of the Mississippi Farmer’s Market in Jackson and worked in business development for Ferguson Federal Credit Union. He maintained lifelong friendships with many who worked alongside him. Frank attended Monticello United Methodist Church, in the town he always considered home. He retired to Ocean Springs with his lady love and longtime companion, Johnnie Carlisle. He will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceded in death by his parents, Roy Paul Malta and Georgina Panzica Malta; and his elder sister, Roygene Malta Cooper, Frank leaves to cherish his memories: his three sons, Frank Gregory Malta, Paul Edward Malta and John Hatton Malta; one sister, Stella Malta Reschke and one brother, Michael Carl Malta; his granddaughter, Katherine Keith Malta; and his beloved Labrador rescue, Tucker, with many extended family, friends and Rebel fans far and wide. Frank's final wishes were to be cremated, which his family is honoring. He will be interred alongside his parents in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Brookhaven. A remembrance gathering is planned for 2 PM Sunday afternoon, December 12th at the United Methodist Church, in Monticello, MS.

In lieu of floral arrangements to also honor Frank’s wishes, the family requests contributions to honor Frank’s memory be made to Mississippi Animal Rescue, the United Methodist Church in Monticello, or to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, TN. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Malta family in their time of need, asking everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/

Mississippi Animal Rescue
5221 Greenway Drive Exd, Jackson MS 39204
Tel: 1-601-969-1631
Web: http://www.msarl.org