Frank Joe Jr.

Frank Joe Jr. made it a priority to take care of everyone around him. Born in 1942 in West Helena, Arkansas to two Chinese immigrant parents, Frank always identified as a “country boy” who built lasting connections with the local community by working in his parent’s grocery store, which served the predominantly Black community members of the Mississippi Delta town. Kids who came to the store would often call Frank “Junebug” and saw Frank as an older brother. He would also teach them about work and would reward them with change and free drinks and cookies. Frank was a man of the community and believed that if someone was nice to him, he would be ten times as nice back. 

When Frank was in high school, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with the other “country boys” in Helena-West Helena, but also formed life-long friendships with Chinese Americans in nearby rural towns, including Monty Wong of Holly Grove, AR. Frank taught Monty to cook Chinese food, and later, Monty helped Frank launch his career with Delta Airlines. 

When his father retired, Frank returned to run Frank Joe Grocery in West Helena but quickly experienced the effects of growing boycotts against non-Black-owned businesses following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in Memphis in 1968. Without steady access to customers, Frank’s grocery store as well as the rest of the Chinese-owned groceries in West Helena were forced to close.

Frank will forever be remembered as a kind-hearted, selfless, compassionate person. His dedication to his family was seen through him working in the store and eventually taking over the store, as well as just the love he expressed for them. 

Story by Anna Custer

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