Staff Sergeant Alex French IV of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in Afghanistan.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at the Baldwin High School gymnasium, Milledgeville. Interment will follow in Scenic Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Shanoca S. French of Milledgeville; children, Alex French V, Alexis S. French and Madison S. French; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Gwendolyn R. French III, of Milledgeville; two sisters, Ms. LaToya French and Mrs. LaQuita F. Basley, both of Milledgeville; grandparents, Mrs. Harriet French of Milledgeville and Mr. and Mrs. Earl and Bernice Rawls of Perry; and a host of other relatives.

The body of SSG Alex French IV will in state at the Griffin Memorial Chapel of Slater’s Funeral Home Inc. from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.

The family has established a children’s benefit fund at both The Magnolia State Bank, “The French Children Benefit Fund,” 2541 N. Columbia St., Milledgeville, and The Exchange Bank “The French Benefit Fund,” 2400 N. Columbia St. Milledgeville.

Friends may visit the family at the home of Mrs. Shanoca French, 149 Shana Drive, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alex French III, 106 Loreta Lane SW, Milledgeville.

Slater’s Funeral Home Inc., 244 N. Wayne St., Milledgeville, has charge of arrangements.