Frank Joseph Malta – Lawrence County Press
Frank Joseph Malta, 79, passed away peacefully at home on 30 November 2021, in Ocean Springs, with his family next door.
Born on April 25, 1942, and raised in Brooklyn, Frank attended St. Francis Catholic Church and Brookhaven High School. He completed his education in business administration at the University of Mississippi and as a brother of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Frank followed in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather as an independent grocer and expanded his operations to include Piggly Wiggly, Super Valu, and Sunflower Food Stores located in the towns of Monticello, Brookhaven, Prentiss, Wesson, in Vidalia, La.
A life member of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and noted “Rebel Booster” for his university’s athletic programs, Frank was the most proud supporter of all things Ole Miss. He was a practical joker known for his sense of humor and pranking to 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 the following 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 with him. Frank attended the United Methodist Church of Monticello, in the town he always considered home. He retired to Ocean Springs with his beloved wife and longtime partner, Johnnie Carlisle.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Paul Malta and Georgina Panzica Malta; and his older sister, Roygene Malta Cooper.
Remaining sister, Stella Malta Reschke; brother, Michael Carl Malta; his three sons, Frank Gregory Malta, Paul Edward Malta, John Hatton Malta; his nephew, Katherine Keith Malta; and, his Labrador rescue lover, Tucker.
Frank will be buried with his parents in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Brookhaven. A memorial meeting is scheduled for 2 pm Sunday, December 12 at the Monticello United Methodist Church.
Contributions to Frank’s honor may be made to Mississippi Animal Rescue; Monticello United Methodist Church, or St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis.