Special Memories of My Dad

I love this picture from dad's funeral, the men from American Legion Post 200 folding the flag that was draped over the casket, and in the background his grandson , Joshua, one of the preachers at the funeral!   Photo credit to Lauren Logan 

Video - "He's in Glory Now" Benjamin Everson

Rev. Homer Eugene Franklin (March 26, 1926 - July 12, 2018)

Rev. H Eugene Franklin , photo from 1991

click link to view video and photo at Floyd Mortuary ( not sure how long this will be active)
https://www.floydmortuary.com/obituaries/Homer-Franklin-2/#!/PhotosVideos
the OBIT was published in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal:

Rev. Homer Eugene “Gene” Franklin, 92, of Cowpens, SC, died Thursday, July 12, 2018, at his home. Born March 26, 1926, in Clifton, SC, he was the son of the late Charles Clinton and Mattie Bell Keeter Franklin. He was the last surviving sibling of seven brothers and sisters. A U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II, Rev. Franklin served as pastor of the Gospel Baptist Church and founded Calvary Baptist Church in 1965 where he served for 20 years prior to his retirement. He attended North Greenville College and loved to sing. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Martha Rice Franklin; children, Tim Franklin (Cindy) of Lawrenceville, GA, Deborah F. Logan (Charlie) of Jacksonville, FL and Loretta Franklin of Boiling Springs, SC; grandchildren, Kenny Arthur, Ben Arthur, Jonathan Logan, April Wyatt, Philip Logan, Joshua Franklin, Stephen Franklin and Brandon Franklin and 21 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an infant son, Stephen Anthony Franklin. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Sunday, July 15, 2018, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 PM Monday, July 16, 2018, at Cowpens Calvary Baptist Church, 451 Pleasant Valley Rd., Cowpens, SC 29330,  conducted by the Rev. Henry Coley and Rev. Joshua Franklin. Burial will be in Cowpens Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. The family is at the home. Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel

Four Generations Photo from 1978

I recently found this photo from 1978 

Four generations of Franklins 

Me with my first son Joshua, 
my dad Gene, and my grandma Mattie Franklin

Kelsea Kindrick Baggett (1937 - 2017)

We lost another member of the Baggett family in 2017.  We miss him greatly and enjoyed our visit to CA a few years ago, going to his church and having lunch with his family.  

Kelsea Kindrick Baggett was born on November 19, 1937 to Joe and Mildred Baggett in Arkansas and went to glory to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 7, 2017.  What a reunion awaited him I am sure.  

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Roxanna (Roxy) Baggett, and four children, Dan, Sheryl (Griego), Noel, and Doug and six grandchildren and many other family and friends.  

He graduated from Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, served in the U. S. Air Force and retired as Director of Nursing at the LA County Sheriff's Department. 

Tribute posted on facebook by his daughter Sheryl Baggett Griego - "He passed in his home, surrounded by his family. We all got to tell him how much we loved him, and he was aware and able to respond to us. I have no way to express how much he meant to me. He was such a great man of integrity, always loving, and a wonderful Christian. He is the best father anyone ever could have asked for, and I thank God for having him in my life."

Barabara Dorman Wilkie (1951 - 2017)

In memory of cousin Barabara Wilkie,  born August 28, 1951 , died January 03, 2017. Barabara was the daughter of my dad's sister, Ann Franklin Dorman.  Her OBIT as published in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal is below. 


BLACKSBURG, SC-- Barabara Dorman Wilkie, 65, of 200 West Carolina Street, Apt. B-4, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. 

Born in Fort Benning, GA, she was the widow of the late Keith Wilkie and daughter of the late Albert Dorman and Ann Franklin Dorman. She retired from textiles and was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church. 

Surviving are a son, Charles Wilkie of Chesnee; a daughter, Annette Gardner and husband, Ronnie, of Blacksburg; a stepson, Richard Wilkie of Spartanburg; a stepdaughter, Candy Wilkie Abrams and husband, Robert, of Spartanburg; two sisters, Gloria Walker of Landrum and Dianne Pettit of Spartanburg; a stepsister, Maudine Wyatt of Cowpens; five grandchildren, Payton Wilkie, R. J. Gardner, Jamie Gardner, Brian Gardner and Don Wilkie; four step-grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Blakely Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Lighthouse Baptist Church with Rev. Grady Gregory officiating. Interment will be in Daniel Morgan Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lighthouse Baptist Church, P.O. Box 547, Blacksburg, SC 29702. 

Mary Marcoccio Franklin (1926 - 2016)

Aunt Mary Marcoccio Franklin passed away on Dec. 23rd. She was the loving wife of the late Lawrence Clinton Franklin, Sr., who was my dad's brother.  

Pictured at right from the 1990's 

Pictured below from 1957 

From her OBIT on legacy.com:

Mary M Franklin,  90, of North Kingstown, formerly of Warwick, died Friday December 23, 2016.  She was the beloved wife of the late Lawrence C. Franklin, Sr. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Eleuterio and Theresa (Consola) Marcoccio. Mary was employed at Elmwood Sensors until her retirement in 1991.

Mary is survived by her loving children: 
John E. Franklin of No. Kingstown, 
Lawrence C. Franklin, Jr. (Barbara) of Scituate and Wayne C. Franklin of Warwick; 
a sister: Angela Denocour of FL; 
8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was the mother of the late Arlene Marques and sister of the late Elise Tafficante, Louise Tella, Anna Ahern, Jennie Dail and Louis, Joseph and Andrew Marcoccio.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at 7:45 AM from THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Ave., Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 AM in St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Road, No. Kingstown. Visiting hours on Tuesday from 4 – 7 PM. Burial in Highland Memorial Park. - 

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) 

Letter From My Grandma Rice

Recently my mother found a letter that I had received from my Grandma Rice back in 1969.


I took these pics with my camera, but will have to scan these two pages later so I can share them.





My grandmother lived with us for about three years while she was being treated for cancer.  I had forgotten that she went to live in TN with Aunt Louise for a time, and while there she wrote me this letter.

memories of school days in the past

School photo from Fall 1962  

Cindy Lee Baggett

8 years old 

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

My brother, Stephen - looking forward to meeting you in Heaven!

Thanks to all those who donated, my parents now have a grave marker for

their 3rd child, Stephen Anthony Franklin, 

who died shortly after birth in October 1956. 

He was buried next to Grandpa C C Franklin at Thompson Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Spartanburg County (SC). 

Special thanks to my son Stephen

(named after my brother)

for heading up this project.  

I especially like the engraving on the back 

with the obit from the newspaper in 1956.

Albert Jerome Dorman (February 20 1910 - September 23 1984)

This young man was my uncle, 

Albert Jerome (Knott) Dorman. 

He was the husband of my dad's sister Annie Mae.  

He served our country in the U.S.Army during WW II and the Korean War.  

Albert and Ann had 

three daughters:

Dianne, Gloria and Barabara.  

Thanks to my 2nd cousin 

Preston Pettit  for the photo 

of his grandfather!

Aunt Ann and Uncle Albert are buried in Cowpens, SC.

View previous post for Annie Mae Franklin Dorman

Memories of a great father

Memories of a great father...

Thankful for J.L.Baggett, Jr who had such a great and lasting influence on his daughter 

Cindy (my wife) 

This photo is from 1977 

on the Galveston Ferry with 

his son and mother - 

Carl and Mildred(Mam ma)

scattered pictures, of the way we were...

My grandmother - Ethel Mae Allen (Rice) in a photo taken
when she was 19-21 years of age...this photo was taken before she married.  


At the age of 22 she would marry 
John Sherman Rice 
and they would rear three children:
Louise, James and Martha (my mom).

Celebrating Easter in 1960

Celebrating Easter 

with my grandparents 

and siblings in 1960

Rev J. Sherman Rice,

Loretta,

Ethel Mae Rice,

Deborah,

Timmy

Remembering Uncle James Rice

 This photo of my mother's brother James "Jimmie"  Rice
is dated March 2, 1952

when he was in the service 64 years ago 

(standing in front of a castle in France.)

Azay-le-Rideau , recent photo of the castle in France 

64 years of marriage - December 22, 2015

My mom and dad, Gene and Martha Franklin, celebrated their 64th anniversary

December 22, 2015  

family roots in Clifton, SC

Since my dad's family grew up in the Clifton area of South Carolina 

(Coopertown to be exact)

I have always found the history of that area interesting.

  

I found some old newspaper articles about the mills of that

area (from the local Spartanburg Herald Journal.) 

I am posting photos below that you can save on your computer as jpg 

and then enlarge to read, etc.   

I did not realize that there were stocks at one time for the mill -

Clifton Manufacturing Company. 

My dad's family originated in North Carolina, 

but many of my grandfather C C Franklin's

family moved to the Spartanburg, SC area to work 

in the textile mills (cotton mills) in the early 1900's.  

Thanks for serving America

Dad,


Thanks for your service to 
our country 
during WW II! 

and thanks for your
service to the Lord
for over 60 years
now... 

50 years of memories

50 years of memories....

Mom and Dad, 

Gene and Martha Franklin, 

were the honored guests at the 

50th anniversary homecoming of Cowpens Calvary Baptist Church.

October 11, 2015  

Memory Lane - memories of a "PK"

Calvary Baptist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary last Sunday, October 11th, in Cowpens, SC.   When God planted this church in 1965, he used my Dad, Gene Franklin,  to start it and we met in this little store-front building owned by Mr. Robert Murph.   I cannot remember how many were there on the charter Sunday, but I do remember my mom and dad, my two sisters and myself.  I was 10 years old so I am not sure if I was old enough to be a "charter member" on the list.  




Back in 2010, I took the photo above and posted my memories of this "preacher's kid," growing up in Cowpens SC.  There are three posts about those memories on my family blog "Our Journey of Life" and you can click the links below to read them...

When God uses a man part one...

When God uses a man part two...

When God uses a man part three...

Spend time with your family...

Back to school photo from 1960

Cindy Lee

 

"First day of school"

photo from 1960

 

in front of their "new" house at

 

4903 Main St in Pine Bluff

Strolling down memory lane...back to school photos from 1985

 My three sons...school photos 

from 30 years ago in 1985

These photos sure brings back memories...

Brandon in K4 ... Stephen in 1st grade ...

Joshua in 2nd grade...

Thinking about my home town today

Always thinking about my home town - Cowpens, SC !

This World is Not My Home - A Cappella

This world is not my home and we know that we have a lot of loved ones to see when we get to Heaven!

memories of first grade

Tim Franklin (1960-1961) First Grade
at Cowpens Elementary School

School starts early these days, 

and this time of year always brings

back memories of my own...

mom cooking breakfast each morning

walking to school 

remembering my first grade (see photo)

and my first grade teacher at Cowpens Elementary School,

Mrs. Bailey 

(who was the mother of Philip Bailey, 

who in later years was 

our high school chorus teacher)

Hope your kids have good memories too!

Franklin/Keeter Reunion Photo June 2015

Photo of 2nd generation (Gene, age 89) through 6th generations of Franklins 

(6th generation - Emily's daughter 

Kaylynn who is not ONE yet) 

  at this year's family reunion.

Franklin-Keeter Reunion June 13th

 

Mattie Belle circa 1958

Grandma Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin in a photo from 1958.

Looking forward to the family reunion this June 13th -  all Franklins and Keeters are welcome to come.   We will be meeting at Camp Croft State Park in Spartanburg SC.  Meal time will be around 3 PM! 

celebrating the legacy of Charles Clinton Franklin

Our family reunion is coming up 

next month on Saturday June 13th.  

We will meet at Camp Croft in Spartanburg, SC 

for a fun day of fellowship and food.   

We will be celebrating the legacy of this man, 

Charles Clinton Franklin, my grandfather.  

 He and his wife Mattie Belle (Keeter) 

reared their family in Clifton, SC. 

grandmother Mattie Belle and grandkids , circa 1950

Grandmother Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin with many of her grandchildren.  

Maybe this was a mother's day photo....probably taken in the early 1950's 

visiting the Baggetts in California , two photos

We traveled to California for my niece's wedding on Saturday (a Franklin family event) and we were able to go to church and lunch on Sunday with Uncle Kelsea and Aunt Roxy Baggett - (a Baggett family event) That's what you call "killing two birds with one stone(flight)"  :)   

***Tim, Cindy, Brandon, Asher, Rachel, Haley Grace, Brandon, Kelsea, Roxy, and Sheryl - and standing in the back - Sierra, Mikaya and Jessica***

(thanks to Zach and another friend for taking the pictures) 

a 2nd photo from last week, a better shot of some of us ! 

The Baggett Men (1959 photo)

The Baggett men - Joe Layton Sr with his sons,  J. L. Jr, Ralph, Kelsea, David and Leslie from a photo taken in 1959.   Mildred (Mam-Ma) in front of the porch.  

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

Gone, but not forgotten!

In honor of Cindy's Uncle "Sonny" Ralph Morris Baggett, whose birthday was Friday, Sept 5th.

We found this campaign card recently and thought it was neat that he ran for office "Justice of the Peace" back in the day.  

Sonny would have been 80 this year!
Click to read hit obit in 2006

Tiny Keeter with her son Billy , early 1950s photo

Tiny and her son Billy Keeter 

I never got the know Tiny (Tina) Keeter 

as she died in 1953 before I was born.  

Tiny was the mother of my grandmother Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin.

This photo from the Franklin family archives was taken early 1950s -  

Those were the days...

Photo from 1956  

Cindy in the middle of the truck bed with 

her uncles David (L) and Leslie (R)