Fairburn Honors Trailblazer Mrs. Frankie Mae Arnold with Grand Homegoing Celebration

Fairburn, GA — February 10, 2025 — The City of Fairburn came together on Saturday, February 8th, to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Frankie Mae Arnold, the city's first African American councilmember. Her homegoing service, held at 11 a.m., was a powerful tribute to her enduring impact on the community she loved and served.

Dignitaries, community leaders, and well-wishers gathered to pay their respects, including former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, State Representative Lydia Glaize, and State Senator Donzella James. The City of Fairburn’s Mayor Mario B. Avery, along with current and former city council members, joined family and friends in remembering Mrs. Arnold’s dedicated service and unwavering commitment to progress.

In a moving display of honor, the Fairburn Fire Department, an organization especially dear to Mrs. Arnold, provided a breathtaking fire truck arch—an extraordinary sendoff for a leader who gave so much to her community.

“Mrs. Arnold was a beacon of strength, courage, and leadership,” said Mayor Mario B. Avery. “Her work paved the way for countless others, and her legacy will forever be etched in the history of Fairburn.”

Mrs. Arnold’s commitment to public service, advocacy for equality, and dedication to her city will be remembered for generations to come. As the city mourns her passing, it also celebrates a well-lived—a life devoted to service, justice, and uplifting others.