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!

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

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.  

Ancestors from Scotland

 I was able to help my grandson Gideon do an ancestors project for school in PA this week. Using our ancestry.com  family tree, we were able to see that on my mother's side of the  family , her 6th great grandfather Hector McIntosh was born in 1750 in Scotland.  He married Mary McCoy (who was born in America)  in 1782 in North Carolina. We can only guess how old he was when he immigrated to America.  They both died in North Carolina.  Gideon also made this drawing of what Hector may have looked like.  We know the Scottish brought over the bagpiping tradition and wore tartan (kilts).  

"Memories like the corners of my mind"

Remembering Aunt Louise:

I ran across this photo from 2010, when my mom and dad went with us to Arkansas for vacation.  We were able to stop in Jefferson City TN on the way back to SC and visit with my mother's sister (Aunt Louise) .  She is in Heaven now (she died May 31st) and so is my dad(he died July 2018)  

We miss them both.  

"So it's the laughter,  

We will remember,  

Whenever we remember the way we were" 

Mary Louise Rice McDaniel (September 25, 1927 - May 31, 2022)

 Mary Louise McDaniel, age 94, of Jefferson City TN, passed away on May 31, 2022. What can one say about a life well lived? Mary Louise McDaniel (affectionately known to her sons as Mama Mac, mom and to coworkers as Ms. Mac) lived a long and fruitful life.  She was born on September 25, 1927 to the Reverend John and  Ethel Rice in the town of Whitney, South Carolina. She worked in a cotton mill while she was in high school to help support her parents.  She was able to get a work scholarship to attend nursing college in Spartanburg, South Carolina and attended school from 1947 to 1951 (three and a half years). She said college was tough, especially chemistry and anatomy, but she worked hard and made good grades. She received her state board license as a RN in 1951. She moved to Jefferson City, TN in 1952 and started working at Jefferson Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1990. After retirement, she was able to travel the world a bit. She said her favorite places were California and Hawaii, but she mostly enjoyed working in the garden and growing flowers at her home on Julienne Drive. 

Louise loved her children and prayed for them constantly as they grew up in the tumultuous 60's and 70's and continued to pray for them until the day she died on May 31, 2022. Louise would want you to know that she was a Christian, loved her church community at Faith Baptist Church and that she is in a much better place now. Godspeed mom. We will miss you greatly. 

She is preceded in death by parents, John and Ethel Rice; husband James McDaniel and brother James Rice. She is survived by her sons, Michael Edgar Greene and Patrick Anthony Greene; granddaughters Stephanie Atkinson and Shanna Atkinson; great grandchildren Sparrow, Sage and River, and her sister Martha Rice Franklin (from Cowpens,SC).  

Graveside service 12:00 PM Saturday, June 4 2022 at Mitchell Springs Cemetery with Rev. John Pinkston officiating.  Family and friends may call at their convenience Friday June 3 2022 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Fielden Funeral Home in New Market TN. 

Uncle James Darrell Rice, US ARMY during the Korean War

 My uncle James Rice  pictured in his Army uniform

He served during the Korean War. 

Letter from my grandmother dated July 22, 1969

As I mentioned in my previous post, my mom found this letter written to me by my grandmother Rice in July of 1969. 

It brings back lots of memories of my Mamaw Rice (Ethel Mae Allen Rice). She spent a few months in TN with my Aunt Louise's family when she was sick with cancer. 

I can't remember for sure, but I think I wrote her a letter and she was responding.  She was living with us when she passed away in our living room in 1970.  We tend to remember the way things were right before someone passes away, so it was nice to read this again and rekindle the good memories.  (Click each page to enlarge) 

October is my favorite month!

 October is my favorite month of the year...not just because the season changes to fall....but my birth month is October.  

Picture at top at 5 months.

Picture in middle at one year old in 1956 with my mom...Martha Franklin

Picture at bottom at 21 months old

Celebrating Easter in 1960

Celebrating Easter 

with my grandparents 

and siblings in 1960

Rev J. Sherman Rice,

Loretta,

Ethel Mae Rice,

Deborah,

Timmy

Celebrating 63 years!

My parents, Gene and Martha Franklin, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on December 23, 2014. 

Congratulations! 

old family photos

from May 1960 - my maternal grandparents 

Rev John Sherman and Ethel Mae Allen Rice

Grandparents are special

Two people who made a distinct impression in my life were my grandparents - Rev. John Sherman and Ethel Mae Allen Rice.  I remember our many visits to their home in Sandy Mush, North Carolina. They always had a special treat, usually ice cream, for us to enjoy when we arrived.  This photo was taken in April of 1960, probably Easter Sunday. My mother, Martha, was the youngest of their three children.   

remembering Mark Rice

click to view/sign Guest Book

Approximately 8 fire trucks from the Charlotte Fire Dept led the processional to the graveside service.

The funeral service for my cousin Mark Rice was on Friday. It was a celebration of his life and even though we cried a lot, mom and I were honored to be there for this day. The best word to describe the service would be amazing. I have never been to a funeral quite like this one. Mark was a member of the Charlotte Fire Dept and it was truly amazing to see the display of support the firemen gave their "brother" as over 100 firemen walked in to take their seat for the funeral. Then after the family was seated, the Charlotte Fire Dept Pipe Band marched in to begin the service. There were about 10 bagpipers and 8 drummers and they were dressed in Scottish kilts. They played "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" and ended with "Amazing Grace" before marching back out. It was like a scene from a movie, only this was real life. A wave of emotion swept over the audience.

As the two Pastors and the Fire Dept Chaplain spoke to the congregation, it was apparent that they too were moved with emotion this day. It was a sad but happy day as we recognize Mark is now home with God, no more suffering and pain. Mark's Pastor mentioned that the last words from Mark were written on a white board because he could not talk during his last three weeks, "I have never turned my back on Jesus Christ." Mark had also told his mother last week to quit worrying about him and "keep her focus on Jesus." Even in his last days, he was trying to encourage others. The music was very appropriate for the service. I do not know if Mark chose the songs or not. The soloist sang "I Bowed on my Knees and Cried Holy." The congregation sang two hymns, "To God Be the Glory" and "It Is Well With My Soul" and the soloist ended with a medley of songs which included "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "I Need Thee Every Hour," and "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." So fitting was this last song.

Mark's testimony was such that he spent his last few months witnessing to everyone he came into contact with. He loved the Lord and he wanted to serve the Lord with all his heart and soul. I am happy to know that Mark is in Heaven now, rejoicing with the Lord and his dad and many others that are already there.

Click to read Obituary


As we approached the entrance to Sharon Memorial Cemetery, a ladder truck was fully extended with a huge American flag.

Darrell Mark Rice (March 3, 1956 - November 17, 2008)

It was just a year ago that my Uncle Jimmy Rice died. This week we were saddened to lose another member of our family when his son, Mark Rice, died after a courageous 6 month battle with cancer. The following obit was posted at the Charlotte Observer:
Darrell Mark Rice

Mr. Rice, 52, of Charlotte, died Monday, November 17, 2008 at his home. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the Worship Center of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. A service to celebrate Mark's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 21, 2008 from the Worship Center with The Reverend Dr. Stephen N. Rummage and Reverend John Harrill officiating. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.
Mark was born March 3, 1956 in Charlotte, the son of Alva Rice of Charlotte and the late James 'Jimmy' Rice. He was a 1974 graduate of Garinger High School and a veteran of the US Navy. He was a 1984 graduate of LeTourneau College and retired as a Master Sergeant with the NC Air National Guard. Mark served as an Engineer of Engine 29 with the Charlotte Fire Department and was a longtime member of the church he loved, Hickory Grove Baptist Church.
Mark will be remembered for his love of God and as a loving husband, father, and son. He aspired to be a great father and role model for his son, Zach and he was committed to the Golden Rule of 'do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.' Mark enjoyed traveling with his wife, Karen and he looked forward to camping and spending time outdoors and playing sports with Zach. Mark never met a stranger and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his mother, Alva, Mark is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-two years, Karen Kerr Rice, their son, Zachary Luke Rice, sisters-in-law, Robin Kerr and Gail Kerr and her husband, Blaine Gregory, and two nieces, Sara Gregory and Emily Gregory, all of Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to the family for Zachary Luke Rice or to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 6050 Hickory Grove Rd., Charlotte, NC 28215.
Condolence to the family may be offered at www.mem.com. Arrangements by McEwen - Mint Hill Chapel.
Published in the Charlotte Observer on 11/20/2008

James Darrell Rice (September 12, 1930 - November 1, 2007)

My mother's brother Jim died this past week. A lot of people will miss him, most of all his wife of 56 years, Alva and his son Mark and family. We sorrow not as "those who have no hope" because we know we shall see him again in Heaven someday. Cindy and I will travel in the morning and take Mom and Dad to Charlotte for the funeral. view the guestbook

Obituary from the Charlotte Observer:
James Darrell Rice Mr. Rice, 77 of Charlotte died Thursday, November 1, 2007 at the Brian Center. Born in Glen Hendrick, WV on September 12, 1930, Jim was the son of the late John Sherman Rice and Ethel Mae Allen Rice. He served with the US Army during the Korean War and following his discharge moved to Charlotte. Mr. Rice had been employed as a printer with the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He retired after 15 years of service. He was an active member of the former Shamrock Drive Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon and a greeter, a role that fit Jim well, for he was known for his warm and welcoming smile. Mr. Rice took great interest in his grandson attending his sporting events, chapel services and school functions. His wife described him as 'a Godly and faithful man and loving husband and father.' Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alva Hill Rice of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Karen Rice and grandson, Zachary Rice, all of Charlotte; sisters, Louise McDaniel of Jefferson City, TN, and Martha Franklin of Cowpens, SC. The family will receive friends Monday, November 5th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Dr. Mike Jamison and Reverend Stephen Rummage officiating. Interment will take place in Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to Grace Crossing Church, POB 44248, Charlotte, NC, 28215 or the Alzheimer's Association, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC, 28215. Carolina Funeral Service & Cremation Center is entrusted with the arrangements. Published in the Charlotte Observer from 11/3/2007 - 11/4/2007.