Died October 10, 1998, on death row

The following was written by Costella Cannon, Frank’s mother:

Frank Bounds was a very warm-hearted and friendly person. He was born on April 14, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the first of eight children born to Costella Bounds-Amos-Cannon.

Frank grew up on the south side of Chicago. He graduated from Yale Upper Grade School and spent two years at Englewood High School. A skillful piano player, Frank loved singing old dusties, rhythm and blues and spiritual songs. He excelled in sports, especially baseball and boxing at the Marigold Boxing Arena. Frank was so athletic that he ran faster backwards than the average person could run forwards!

Frank was an ambitious man. He pursued the challenges that he set his sights on, and never allowed circumstances or obstacles to deter him.

My son Frank died at the age of 46 at St. James Hospital in Pontiac, Illinois, after a short bout with cancer. He died just seven months after the Supreme Court of Illinois granted him a new evidentiary hearing. Frank hoped to see the judicial system become a system not only of justice, but one of compassion, wisdom and understanding.

Frank passed on his ideas and abilities to his three daughters, Felicia Anbonisye of Chicago, Frankye Bounds-Hunter of Germany and Lataunya Bounds-Gordais of France. He also has seven grandsons and two granddaughters whom he never had a chance to meet or enjoy any part of their lives.

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