Cowpens Calvary Baptist celebrates 60 years Oct 12 2025

 Cowpens Calvary Baptist Church was founded (planted) by my parents,  Rev. Gene and Martha Franklin in 1965.  My sister Deborah and  I  were  one of the founding members. This Oct 12th, will be the 60th anniversary Homecoming Day service.  

The church's 3rd pastor will be preaching, Pastor Jeff Jones.  The current location is at 451 Pleasant Valley Rd Spartanburg, SC 29307  (click to view map)

Good old southern sayings

 A most unusual "Southern Saying" is "Big ears in the cornfield"  

I have to admit , I had never heard this saying until after our children were born.  On one of our visits to my wife's family in Arkansas, we were talking about some issue (cannot remember that issue now) and Cindy's mom (Winnie Baggett) would remind us to be quiet because there were "big ears in the cornfield".

Meaning that our kids were around and be careful what you say (and what they hear)!   I have used this expression over and over since then.   

Musings from my life in South Carolina

After my first year of college, my Aunt Earline was able to help me get a job at the cotton mill in Chesnee, SC.  I worked three summers there, after my freshman, sophomore and junior years of college.  My first summer there was in the first room of the mill , putting cotton into the bins to start the process of producing yarn.  This is where I first heard the southern saying " I feel like I have been rode hard and put away wet!".  Our mechanic at the mill was called the "fixer" and he would drop by to visit with me and rest awhile.  Many days he would use this expression and I would smile or laugh - even though I had never heard that expression before and had no earthly idea what it meant. HaHaHa I just pretended I did and carried on...  Well , later that year  I was back at college in Chattanooga and was at my job at the Chattanooga Public Library.  I repeated this expresstion to the security guard and he just smiled and said , "do you know what that means?" I honestly admitted that I did not, so he explained the meaning, that it was bad for the horse's health if you rode the horse and then put the horse in the stable without wiping him down (all the sweat) first.  To read more about this phrase click here... 
 

Why we love watching "Leave It to Beaver"

 

Baggett Family get together July 27 in Sheridan AR

It was great to see many of Cindy's family is AR on July 27th.  We met for lunch in Sheridan AR at Wright's Ranch House restaurant - they recently purchased the Ice House Cafe and remodeled it.  The Ice House Cafe (fish restaurant)had been closed for many years so it is great to see a new place to eat.  Also they had plenty of room for all 34 of the family ( on the spur of the moment) and food was great and service was great!    

Down Memory Lane with Leave It To Beaver

  

Check out this digital magazine,  Leave It To Beaver from TV Guide.  Great memories of one of  my favorite childhood TV shows!   

Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving

 

Been thinking about my Dad this Father's Day week

Been thinking about my dad this week as Father's Day approaches.  He loved family time together ( picture at left from 1978 with my first son, Joshua, a four generation photo) 

and He loved to sing,  pictured below with my dad and cousin Jim , singing at Christmas Eve in the 1980's (at Grandma's house of course) 

- what precious memories! 

 

Missing my mom on Mother's Day

 This year will be a  year of first.  Sunday May 12th was the first Mother's day without mom.  She is enjoying Heaven this year. 

Yes, that's me,  pictured with mom in 1956!

My home town, lots of memories there!

Love the new sign in my hometown of Cowpens, SC 

Martha Loretta Rice Franklin (August 26, 1933 - December 17, 2023 )

 

Martha Rice Franklin, 90, entered into the presence of her Lord, and Savior, on Sunday, December 17, 2023.  She was born on August 26, 1933, in Caroleen, NC, a daughter of the late John Sherman Rice and Ethel Mae Allen Rice. For over 66 years she was the devoted and loving wife of the late Rev. Homer Eugene Franklin. 

Martha and her late husband were founders of Calvary Baptist Church of Cowpens, SC. Her ministry was serving the Lord by playing the piano, being a longtime Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, and supporting her church any way that she could. Martha and her husband also led church services at White Oak Estates for many years. 

A dedicated and hard worker, Martha retired from Pentex (Alcon) in Cowpens and formerly was employed with Converse Mills. 

Martha is survived by her children, Tim Franklin (Cindy) of Lawrenceville, Ga, Deborah F. Logan (Charlie) of Jacksonville, FL, and Loretta Franklin of Boiling Springs, SC; 8 grandchildren, Kenny Arthur, Ben Arthur, Jonathan Logan, April Wyatt, Philip Logan, Joshua Franklin, Stephen Franklin and Brandon Franklin; and 25 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Stephen Anthony Franklin, and siblings, Louise McDaniel and James Rice. 

The family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church of Cowpens, 451 Pleasant Valley Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral service will follow in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Jeff Jones and the Rev. Joshua Franklin.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

The family will be at the home. 

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Cowpens, P.O. Box 1811, Cowpens, SC 29330. 

Floyd’s North Church Street 

OBITUARY AND SLIDE VIDEO posted at https://www.floydmortuary.com/obituaries/martha-franklin

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Just a little snow ... 2016 in Cowpens SC

 

This is one of my favorite photos of Cowpens, SC 

 Just a little snow storm back in 2016. 

 I think we are due for another one , what do you think?  

Martin's Cowpens Drug Store in 1971

My home town had two drug stores and two doctors on Main Street when I was in high school.  Martin's Drug Store (with Dr. Teal)  and Stone's Drug Store (with Dr. Crow).  Who did you go see ?   Now there are none , kind of sad.   

Cowpens downtown 1952

 Cowpens was once a bustling little town...postcard photo from 1952

Memories of Christmas (parades) long, long ago...

 

Back in 1972 the Spartanburg Christmas Parade was always on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving.

I was "drum major" for the Cowpens High  School Band when we marched in the parade for the first time in many years.  

 Roger Cox was our new band director  and he continued as the director for many years including at the new Broome High School. 

 Loretta, my sister, is playing the bell lyra, but sadly I cannot remember the names of all of these great people!   

Thankful for my home church

Thankful for the church that my dad "planted" in 1965 

Cowpens Calvary Baptist Church

Photo from local newspaper from the 2nd year anniversary

Now with their 3rd pastor, Jeff Jones, the church is still preaching the Word of God!

our favorite movie to watch each year - The Thanksgiving Promise 1986

Getting ready for Thanksgiving along with Snoopy !

 

Our Town | Cowpens SCTV Video