one our favorite places to visit

 We met in college in TN and really enjoyed going to Cloudland Canyon with friends.   We have been back to visit the state park several times since moving to Georgia in 2007. Oh, and this is one my favorite pics from our youth! (My, how time flies)

 

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! 

 

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!

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!   

Celebrating 44 years of marriage today - Cindy and Tim

 Special memory from June 4 1977 as Cindy and I tied the knot

The wedding was in Chattanooga as i had to go to summer school to finish college.

our families traveled from South Carolina (mine) and Arkansas (hers) to be there for the wedding.

So many memories, God has blessed us with 44 years today! 

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

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.

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

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...

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!

Pictures from back in the day! (1959)

Gene and Martha Franklin with children, Debbie, Tim and Loretta

Since my youngest sister was born in March, 1959 I would guess this picture was taken in the Summer or Fall of 1959.