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

Statue of Liberty, sung by Joel Blackstock July 2009

Cowpens and the aftermath of the tornado on May 18, 1969

 

This photo was posted by someone on facebook recently and really brought back vivid memories.  On May 18, 1969 we lived one block south of the grocery store, Cut Rate Grocery, which was leveled when the twister touchdown briefly. This was rebuilt on the same corner of Main Street (now a church building) and across from the gas station(recently a BBQ restaurant) 

 The post office and First Baptist Church, just a half block away, were not damaged.   We could hear the loud sound of wind (like a train) and I crawled under a bed in the middle  of the house, but our house was spared.  Several houses below us ,  towards the railroad tracks, had large oak trees toppled as the tornado passed over.  Needless to say , this was a very scary event and hopefully I will never be this close to a tornado again.

Dad was one of the "greatest generation"

 Dad was one of the “greatest generation” he served in WWII - my sister decorated his grave for the 4th - he would be happy! 

remembering those already in Heaven

C 

 Cindy and I took my mother to visit the grave of her son and my brother, Stephen Anthony. He lived only a few hours after birth on October 26,  1956.   He is buried beside our Grandpa and Grandma Franklin at Thompson Chapel Cemetery.   Sadly , he would have been 67 this October.  

Converse Mill Lofts opening soon

The old Converse mill in the photo on the left - brings back many memories.  My mother worked there for several years when I was a little kid.  And the two lane highway to Spartanburg was a bear! We only went 3-4 times a year to shop for Christmas, Easter, back to school clothes, etc. but if you were behind one of those old Ford T Models or trucks  , it would take forever to get there. 

Below is a picture of the remodeling at the mill. So glad they did not tear the building down. It is being converted into loft apartments now. 

Nice photo of the beautiful new windows , probably custom made. The website below gives more information for these apartments. 

 

Important dates in Franklin family history

My dad's Certificate of Ordination dated February 26, 1961 

It appears this was ceremony was done 

when he became pastor at Gospel Baptist Church 

Ordaining councel included:  

Rev Robert A Brooks

Rev John R Waters

Rev Claude Campbell

Rev Paul A Stephens

and a couple more that we cannot read... 
 

Those were the good old days

My dad is standing on the left in this photo from around 1942.

He would have been 16 years old.  His brother Lawrence is standing at back, 

and his brother Howard at the right.  

 

Old Family Photos

 Just found this photo of my mother, Martha Rice (Franklin) which was taken at age 13 1/2 or 14 years of age.   I think this is about the age she caught her "future" husband's eye while she was playing piano at a revival service.  

Easter Sunday with the Baggetts and Blackstocks

 

Sweet Easter photo from a long time ago in Pine Bluff AR with Mam-ma Baggett.

(thanks to Rhonda, front left, for sharing on facebook)  

Photos from the past

Photos from the past... Winnie Richardson Baggett's family .. this was taken Nov 1912 -  Her dad and Cindy's grandfather is standing at left -Elden Fay Richardson. Her grandfather and grandmother, Elmer and Grace (holding Mildred) Richardson, and Beatrice Wolf is to the right.

Notes on back of photo are below, from Winnie's Aunt Jim (Mildred)