Memories of my mother and father

Seems my parents are always on my mind, missing them is  a reality of life on earth.  My niece April Wyatt sent this photo she took many years ago now.  My dad (Gene ) and mom (Martha)  are enjoying Heaven together and I would not want it any other way.   Dad passed away  on  July 12, 2018 (8 years ago) and Mom passed away Dec 17, 2023 (almost 3 years ago)   

Click to view /read their obituary online... 

 Rev Gene Franklin    and 

 Martha Rice Franklin   
 

WW II 1944-1946 - Dad served his country in the U S Navy

 Thanks you, Dad, for your service to our country in WW II , U S NAVY, 1944-1946!

Gene Franklin is pictured on the last row,  6th from the left. 

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)

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! 

 

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!

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.  

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.  

 

"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" 

Walking on streets of gold !

 Today Preacher Henry  Coley, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Cowpens, went home to be with the Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ! 

He is walking on the streets of gold, no more night, no more pain ... 

I can  just imagine .... him and my dad Preacher Gene Franklin hugging each other!  

This picture was from the 50th anniversary of the church in  2015. My dad, "Preacher Franklin" started the church in 1965 and  "Preacher Coley" took over in  1985 and pastored the  church for almost 37 years.  He will be missed by all (we are still missing my dad too)  

Memories of a proud American

My dad, Gene Franklin 

Proud to be an American 

He served his country in World Way II 

Photo at the Cowpens SC Veterans Memorial 

Park in 2010 

Note cards, prayer cards, priceless!

Mom found a stack of cards that my dad had saved , that he used back in the early years of ministry, early to mid - 1960's.  

There were about 100 cards and each card has a different name of a friend, family member, or church member or pastor friend that he prayed for.  

Each card has a number of marks representing each time he prayed for them.  

What a priceless memory! 

Final resting place at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetary in Cowpens

 The VA finally came  through with the white marble grave marker for dad, Gene Franklin.

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

64 years of marriage - December 22, 2015

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

December 22, 2015  

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...