Martha's story, pg 4

(Mom recounts details of her double wedding at this point - they were married in a double ceremony on December 22, 1951 with Doris Howell and J.D Early.  Also, I never knew that my uncle Howard was my dad's best man. That was neat to learn!  And Mom still talks about the person not showing up to play for the wedding.) 

We were very excited as we began getting ready for our wedding. Mama took me to Spartanburg and bought me a beautiful navy blue suit. Doris also wore navy blue and we both wore white hats. Gene and J.D. wore navy blue suits also. We had pictures made and had beautiful gladiolas and walked on white sheets. Gene’s pastor, Rev. Robert Shephard, married us and my sister, Louise, was my maid of honor. Gene’s brother, Howard, was his best man. We had a scare on Friday night during the rehearsal. The person who was supposed to play the music at our wedding did not show up, so we had to find someone.  We asked Miss Patricia Neal and she graciously consented to do it. Bobby Dean Hall sang “I Love you truly” and “The Lord’s Prayer”. They did very well and everything turned out wonderful. I need to add that our fathers gave us away. We were on cloud nine and were in love.  

After our wedding, mama cooked a lot of food for everyone to eat. She cooked meats, vegetables, and desserts. She was a good cook! She went to a lot of trouble because she loved us. 

Martha's story, page 3

Well, getting back to my story, this young man’s name was Gene Franklin.  From that Sunday on we started dating twice a week. One Thursday he didn’t come and I didn’t hear from him. I was ready to leave Saturday night but he got there before I left. He explained that he had been sick, so I understood.

            I was thrilled to be graduating high school (May 1951) but I didn’t know what I was going to do. I thought about going into nursing or taking a business course. I had an aunt and uncle from West Virginia and after they visited us and started to head home, they invited me to visit them. So I visited them for a few weeks. It seemed that Gene must have worried about whether I would come back. My aunt and uncle offered to send me to business school, if I stayed. But I came back home and Gene was there that weekend and asked me to marry him. He also had a ring with him. Of course I said “Yes!” We also started double dating with another couple in our church. Their names were Doris Howell (our pastor’s daughter) and J.D. Early. Since we were both engaged, we decided to have a double wedding at our church on December 22^nd of that year, at 6:00 p.m. We were so excited! 

Martha's story, page 2

Let me tell you something about my early life. I was raised in a Christian home. My dad was a Free Will Baptist preacher. He would go preach in North Carolina Mountains and mom, my sister (Louise), my brother (Jimmy), and myself stayed at home in Caroleen, N.C. 

I remember mama carrying me in her arms and my brother and sister walking by her side. Church was an important part of our lives and later, in my teen years, I taught the small children in Sunday school and was voted to be the pianist when I could only play one or two songs. Boy, it was scary! I also began taking care of Aunt Ann’s children, when I was thirteen and a half years old, while she worked. We had some good times and we would have birthday parties for each other.

Martha's story, "In the Beginning"

My mother spent many years writing and typing up her life story on an old typewriter.  When she had finished writing her memories and thoughts, she asked her granddaughter April Logan to enter it into a word document on the computer.  This is the first of many posts that will tell the story of my mom's life with my dad, in her words, this is how they met... 

“IN THE BEGINNING”

By: Martha Rice Franklin

            In the year 1947, I met a young man who was leading the singing in a tent revival in my hometown of Caroleen, N.C. I attended the services because as a Christian I enjoyed being where the Bible was preached. But there was another reason. I really liked this young man and also enjoyed hearing him sing. His hometown was Clifton, S.C. so other than getting to go to the services in the summer that was it. 

 

       Four years later, in February of 1951, I was at a talent program at Tri-High school, where I would graduate in May of that year. I heard someone call my name and when I looked around there was the young man that I had known four years earlier, but had almost forgotten. He asked to take me home and then came back the next day pretending to come to see my brother, Jimmy. He got there in time for Sunday dinner. Boy, Mama was a good cook! Some of the church folks would come to eat and they would rave about how good everything was. Those friends were Martha, Edna, and Lucille Coffey. They loved Mama’s banana and pineapple pudding. To me those didn’t look so good.  I had seen her wring the necks of so many chickens, that I couldn’t eat them. Later I saw what I missed and learned to love fried chicken. I liked everything else she cooked. 

Family Reunion successful!

The Franklin-Keeter family reunion has come and gone, and it turned out to be a success!  We had a lot of ideas to build on from the Baggett family reunion in 2011.  The turnout was a little less than we planned for, but that is to be expected at something like this.  There will always be those who plan to come, but then something comes up at the last minute to change their plans.   

We had 57 family and friends show up for this year's reunion in Cowpens.  

I am looking forward to getting the photos from Kimberly soon so that I can post more photos on this site and facebook.  We will definitely be planning a 2nd reunion, but will plan a year in advance so that more family can possibly be there next time. 

Attending this year's reunion were: 

Terry and Carole Albright and grandson Josh
Pat Brown
Greg and Kylie Brown. Emilee and Lydia
Jeff and CharityBrown, Neeley and Nyah 
Pastor and Mrs. Coley 
Donna Daly
Trey Daly
Gene and Martha Franklin
Tim and Cindy Franklin
Joshua and Janelle Franklin,
Brielle, Layton, Hudson
Stephen and Leah Franklin
Natalie, Meredith, Sophie, Ethan
Brandon and Rachel Franklin
Charlie and Haley Grace
Judy Mitchell
Darrell Mitchell
Tony and Debra Mitchell
Victoria
Dianne Pettit
Miranda Pettit
Gloria Walker
Kimberly and Paul Walker
Dylan, Kaitlin, Derek
Luke Walker
Barbara Wilkie
Charlie Wilkie and wife
and 2 kids
Annette Wilkie
Peyton and Jamie  Wilkie

Aunt Emily - family photo from the 1950s

Another "Franklin family photo" from the late 1950s - 

my aunt Emily with her son Jerry and daughter Pat.  

Thanks to cousin Pat for sending this one. 

Granny Keeter

My cousin Pat emailed me some photos for the reunion slideshow - including this picture of "Granny Keeter" taken in 1950.  I think this is the first time I have seen a picture of Tiny Keeter, who was Mattie Bell Keeter's mother (and my great-grandmother)! I found her obituary is listed in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal on Oct 2, 1953 and she is listed as "Tina" Keeter, age 83 so she was probably born in 1870.

Annie Mae Dorman, July 13, 1911-May 14, 1966

Annie Mae Franklin was the 3rd child of Charles and Mattie.  Aunt Ann was married to Albert Dorman (who worked as policeman for the town of Cowpens) and they had three daughters - Dianne, Gloria and Barabara.   Dianne is pictured above with her mom and dad and husband Ray Pettit in a photo from 1964.  I remember as a small boy spending many days at their home.  Uncle Albert used to set me on top of the washer to take a "ride" as it moved across the floor during the spin cycle.  One of my favorite memories of Aunt Ann was her strong soprano voice in the choir at Gospel Baptist Church.  Sadly, the first funeral I remember attending was for Annie Mae who died at the young age of 54 in 1966.

Howard and Ruth Franklin

The oldest son of Charles and Mattie Franklin was their 6th child, Charles Howard Franklin (b. March 20, 1919 d. Feb 04 1993).  Uncle Howard married Ruth Felmet and they had three children - Helen Ruth, James and Janet.  Cousin Jim emailed this photo to use for the reunion. 

family photos

Updated, cropped photos for the reunion flyer - much better facial expressions on these two photos. 

Grandpa and Grandma Franklin 

(Charles Clinton 

and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin)

remembering cousin Jerry

In honor of my late cousin Jerry Kirby, who would have turned 57 today, July 5th. Born in 1955 and died in December of 2010.  He was like a brother to me when we were little boys. His mother Emily Franklin Kirby (Jones) was one of my dad's sisters.  We miss you cousin! 

The 1st Franklin and Keeter Family Reunion

Looking forward to our 1st Franklin and Keeter reunion on Friday, August 10 2012, at the Cowpens Calvary Baptist Church "Franklin Fellowship Hall"

Grandpa Franklin (Charles Clinton Franklin) is pictured at left - this portrait was done in the early 1950's after he died and hung on the wall at Grandma's house until after she died in 1980.  My dad had the portrait painted so since he would not take it off the wall and to his house, he allowed me to take them to my house.  I proudly display this alongside my dad's portrait at my home! 

Grandma Franklin (Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin) is pictured below, probably taken in the 1950's. Grandma lived to be 91 years old.  We are trying to do research on her family history as well, but not having any luck.

Kelsea and Roxy at the concert

Kelsea and Roxy Baggett

They have participated in the Orange County Master Chorale for years. 

This picture was taken at last night's concert and posted on facebook by their son, Dan.

Family Reunion Photos

Rachel, Brandon and Charlie T with Uncle Kelsea

Family Reunion Photos

Some of the family at the reunion last August in Sheridan, AR  - a nice photo by Susan showing a lot of people doing a lot of different things.  I look like I am probably wondering "what was I supposed to be doing?" 

Family Reunion Photos

The younger generation of "Baggett" men at the reunion last August. 

(L-R) Derek Baggett, Daniel Blackstock, 

Airel Baggett, and Dustin Blackstock.

Family Reunion Photos

Brothers and sister photo taken at the reunion in August 2011 

L to R: Leslie, Robbie, Kelsea and David 

Someone has a birthday this month!

 

Cindy is pictured above at about 6 months of age in 1954.  Happy Birthday to my wife who celebrates another birthday on January 31st!