Arlene M. Franklin Marques (September 7, 1951-September 12, 2013)

We are sad to learn that one my first cousins died last week in Rhode Island.  Arlene was the daughter of my dad's late brother Lawrence (and Mary) Franklin.   

You can read the obit that was posted below - 

Arlene M. (Franklin) Marques,, 62, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013 after a long, but courageous battle with colon cancer. She was the devoted wife of John A. Marques of Warwick. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Mary (Marcoccio) Franklin of Warwick and the late Lawrence Franklin.
Arlene was a Vice President at Bank of America's managing travel and expense department. Prior to being V.P., she also worked for MetLife's Dental Claims department and Citizens Bank as a Day Trader. She also loved traveling, especially on cruise lines, gardening and cooking. She had six wonderful grandchildren whom were the light of her life.
Besides her husband and mother, she is survived by three children: Scott Marques of Cranston, Michael Marques of Warwick and Robin Tomlinson of Apex, NC; three brothers: Lawrence of North Scituate, Wayne of Warwick and John of North Kingstown and six grandchildren: Braelyn, Alyssa, Avery, Jack, Madeleine and Caroline.
A prayer service will be held at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick at 4 PM on Saturday, September 14. Calling hours will be from 1-4 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St
Framingham, MA.
- See more at: http://www.carpenterjenks.com/obituary/Arlene-M.-Marques/Warwick-RI/1243485#sthash.o9d4knK2.dpuf

Arlene M. (Franklin) Marques,, 62, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013 after a long, but courageous battle with colon cancer. She was the devoted wife of John A. Marques of Warwick. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Mary (Marcoccio) Franklin of Warwick and the late Lawrence Franklin.

 

Arlene was a Vice President at Bank of America's managing travel and expense department. Prior to being V.P., she also worked for MetLife's Dental Claims department and Citizens Bank as a Day Trader. She also loved traveling, especially on cruise lines, gardening and cooking. She had six wonderful grandchildren whom were the light of her life.

Besides her husband and mother, she is survived by three children: Scott Marques of Cranston, Michael Marques of Warwick and Robin Tomlinson of Apex, NC; three brothers: Lawrence of North Scituate, Wayne of Warwick and John of North Kingstown and six grandchildren: Braelyn, Alyssa, Avery, Jack, Madeleine and Caroline.

A prayer service will be held at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick at 4 PM on Saturday, September 14. Calling hours will be from 1-4 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA.
- See more at: http://www.carpenterjenks.com/obituary/Arlene-M.-Marques/Warwick-

Arlene M. (Franklin) Marques,, 62, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013 after a long, but courageous battle with colon cancer. She was the devoted wife of John A. Marques of Warwick. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Mary (Marcoccio) Franklin of Warwick and the late Lawrence Franklin.

Arlene was a Vice President at Bank of America's managing travel and expense department. Prior to being V.P., she also worked for MetLife's Dental Claims department and Citizens Bank as a Day Trader. She also loved traveling, especially on cruise lines, gardening and cooking. She had six wonderful grandchildren whom were the light of her life.

Besides her husband and mother, she is survived by three children: Scott Marques of Cranston, Michael Marques of Warwick and Robin Tomlinson of Apex, NC; three brothers: Lawrence of North Scituate, Wayne of Warwick and John of North Kingstown and six grandchildren: Braelyn, Alyssa, Avery, Jack, Madeleine and Caroline.

A prayer service will be held at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick at 4 PM on Saturday, September 14. Calling hours will be from 1-4 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St
Framingham, MA. - See more at: http://www.carpenterjenks.com/obituary/Arlene-M.-Marques/Warwick-RI/1243485#sthash.o9d4knK2.dpuf

Arlene M. (Franklin) Marques,, 62, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013 after a long, but courageous battle with colon cancer. She was the devoted wife of John A. Marques of Warwick. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Mary (Marcoccio) Franklin of Warwick and the late Lawrence Franklin.

Arlene was a Vice President at Bank of America's managing travel and expense department. Prior to being V.P., she also worked for MetLife's Dental Claims department and Citizens Bank as a Day Trader. She also loved traveling, especially on cruise lines, gardening and cooking. She had six wonderful grandchildren whom were the light of her life.

Besides her husband and mother, she is survived by three children: Scott Marques of Cranston, Michael Marques of Warwick and Robin Tomlinson of Apex, NC; three brothers: Lawrence of North Scituate, Wayne of Warwick and John of North Kingstown and six grandchildren: Braelyn, Alyssa, Avery, Jack, Madeleine and Caroline.

A prayer service will be held at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick at 4 PM on Saturday, September 14. Calling hours will be from 1-4 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St
Framingham, MA. - See more at: http://www.carpenterjenks.com/obituary/Arlene-M.-Marques/Warwick-RI/1243485#sthash.o9d4knK2.dpuf

Commemorating Pickett's Charge in honor of Robert B Franklin

My 4th great grandfather, 

Robert Berton Franklin, 

served in a NC regiment for two years during the Civil War. He became sick and was discharged. Robert Franklin was in Company B 34th regiment called the Sandy Run Yellow Jacket. His son, John P Franklin, was in Company I 56th regiment, called the Rutherford Rifles.  

I along with my son, Brandon, and grandson Charlie and granddaughter Brielle 

took part in the march on Weds, July 3, 2013 to commemorate Pickett's Charge. Brandon's wife, Rachel, who is from Ohio took part on the Union side. 

It was a moving experience to be able to walk in their footsteps 

of those who fought and died that fateful day in 1863. 
Photo as TAPS is played - Click photo to enlarge! 

family history found at the cemetery!

We visited the cemetery where my Grandpa and Grandma Franklin are laid to rest.  Brandon had been up the week before and helped Dad clean it up and cut the grass, etc. 

 Also found that Grandma's sister and husband are buried in the same cemetery at Thompson Chapel Baptist Church. Jennie Keeter Quinn and Mitchell Quinn.  There were lots of Keeters in this cemetery! 

 Just to the left of the grandparents is a small marker and flowers for my brother Stephen Anthony, who died a few hours after birth, on October 25 or 26 in 1956.  To the right of the grandparents is a small marker for my great grandmother, Granny Tina Keeter.  






While doing family history research on line, my sister Debbie found that in one census, Granny Keeter actually lived with the family of  J.J. Bates for a time, so we are not sure if she was adopted or what. We were excited to find his tombstone also.

Cindy with David and Leslie (1956)

A photo from the past, sure to bring some memories and smiles... looks like a normal spring day in 1956.  Cindy was a little over 2 years old when this photo was taken - with her sitting in the back of the truck with uncles David (left) and Leslie.  Maybe just returning from the grocery store?
Ah, the days of no car seats!

A rare photo of Mamaw and Punkin

We recently acquired this 

photo of a young 

Mildred and J L Baggett, Sr. 

or as my wife would call them 

"Mamaw and Punkin". 

Easter pics from back in the day!

April 1956 - you can tell this was Easter Sunday because the girls are all dressed up and one has a bonnet on her head.  Grandma Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin with my cousins: Judy, Dianne and Patsy (back row); Gloria and Barabara in front row with Grandma.

Martha and Gene Franklin

Easter 1960 - We went to visit our grandparents J.S. and Ethel Rice in North Carolina this Easter.  Grandma Rice is holding Loretta, and then Deborah and Tim (me)













Easter 1966 - My mom and dad posing in front of Grandma Franklin's house. 

Easter 1981 - Cousin Dianne Pettit's children dressed for Easter Sunday - Preston (front) and Miranda, Jamie and Ray Jr.(back)













Easter 1961 in Arkansas - My wife Cindy with her brothers and cousin - pictured left to right are Sam, Cindy, John and Morris

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. 

Pictures from back in the day! (1955)

Martha and Gene Franklin, April 1955

Here is a picture of mom and dad from April 1955. I guess she would be carrying me in the womb at about 2 months.  Looks like they are standing in front of their brand new 1954 Chevrolet!

Pictures from back in the day! (1952)

Gene Franklin, far left and Martha Franklin on piano

Dad with his quartet in a photo from December 1952 - and that's Mom playing the piano.  Once upon a time there were some 78 rpm recordings of this quartet.  No one seems to know what happened to them. Too bad.

Pictures from back in the day! (1951)

Gene and Martha Franklin (top photo) were married in a double ceremony on December 22, 1951 with Doris Howell and J.D Early. 

Pictures from back in the day! (1944)

This young kid is my dad, Gene Franklin.

He served in the US Navy during World War II (1944-1946)

He will be celebrating his 87th birthday this month. 

Martha' story, page 5

Mom continues her story. . . after the wedding, the honeymoon to .Gatlnburg . . .

Then we left for Asheville, N.C.  Doris and J.D. went with us because he did not have a car. We stayed at the Biltmore motel the first night. They asked us if we wanted a room together and when we giggled they knew better. The next day we went on to Gatlinburg, Tennesee, which was on a Sunday.

Before we left for Gatlinburg, we visited a church there in Asheville, North Carolina, where JD and Doris lived. Back then Gatlinburg wasn’t heard of, but for a long time now it has been a place where everybody wants to go!  On our way back home, my new husband bought me a new dress in Newport, Tennesee. I was real happy that he did this for me, and it seems that I remember that our folks were glad to see us back.              

Patricia Lee Franklin Brown (October 24, 1946-December 28, 2012)

(Photo of Pat with her three children taken at the family reunion in August)

Patricia Lee Franklin Brown, 66, of Cowpens, died Friday, December 28, 2012, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Pat was born October 24, 1946 in Spartanburg County, a daughter of the late Oren Lee Kirby and Carrie Emily Franklin Jones and she was the widow of Donald McArthur Brown. A graduate of Cowpens High School and Spartanburg Technical College, she was an Administrative Assistant for The J. F. Floyd Mortuary for the past 11 years. Pat was a member of Westside Baptist Church of Cowpens, where she sang in the Church Choir, and also was a member of the IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals).

Pat is lovingly survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna B. and Michael P. Daly, Jr. of Cowpens; her sons, Jeffrey D. and Charity Frady Brown of Cowpens, C. Greg and Kylee Baxter Brown of Cowpens; her grandchildren, Michael P. "Trey" Daly, III, Logan Alexander Daly, Emilee Lynn Brown, Neeley Analise Brown, Nyah Addison Brown and Lydia Ellyse Brown, all of Cowpens; and her faithful and loving companion, Peanut. Pat was also predeceased by a son, Donald Brown, Jr., and her brothers, Jerry and Robert Kirby.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2012, at Westside Baptist Church, 4487 Cannons Campground Road, Cowpens, SC, conducted by the Rev. Travis Blackwell.

Burial will be in Daniel Morgan Memorial Gardens in Cowpens, SC.
Honorary escort will be current and former employees of The J. F. Floyd Mortuary.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to Westside Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 1497, Cowpens, SC 29330.
click to view video 

Martha's story, pg 4

(Mom recounts details of her double wedding at this point - they were married in a double ceremony on December 22, 1951 with Doris Howell and J.D Early.  Also, I never knew that my uncle Howard was my dad's best man. That was neat to learn!  And Mom still talks about the person not showing up to play for the wedding.) 

We were very excited as we began getting ready for our wedding. Mama took me to Spartanburg and bought me a beautiful navy blue suit. Doris also wore navy blue and we both wore white hats. Gene and J.D. wore navy blue suits also. We had pictures made and had beautiful gladiolas and walked on white sheets. Gene’s pastor, Rev. Robert Shephard, married us and my sister, Louise, was my maid of honor. Gene’s brother, Howard, was his best man. We had a scare on Friday night during the rehearsal. The person who was supposed to play the music at our wedding did not show up, so we had to find someone.  We asked Miss Patricia Neal and she graciously consented to do it. Bobby Dean Hall sang “I Love you truly” and “The Lord’s Prayer”. They did very well and everything turned out wonderful. I need to add that our fathers gave us away. We were on cloud nine and were in love.  

After our wedding, mama cooked a lot of food for everyone to eat. She cooked meats, vegetables, and desserts. She was a good cook! She went to a lot of trouble because she loved us. 

Martha's story, page 3

Well, getting back to my story, this young man’s name was Gene Franklin.  From that Sunday on we started dating twice a week. One Thursday he didn’t come and I didn’t hear from him. I was ready to leave Saturday night but he got there before I left. He explained that he had been sick, so I understood.

            I was thrilled to be graduating high school (May 1951) but I didn’t know what I was going to do. I thought about going into nursing or taking a business course. I had an aunt and uncle from West Virginia and after they visited us and started to head home, they invited me to visit them. So I visited them for a few weeks. It seemed that Gene must have worried about whether I would come back. My aunt and uncle offered to send me to business school, if I stayed. But I came back home and Gene was there that weekend and asked me to marry him. He also had a ring with him. Of course I said “Yes!” We also started double dating with another couple in our church. Their names were Doris Howell (our pastor’s daughter) and J.D. Early. Since we were both engaged, we decided to have a double wedding at our church on December 22^nd of that year, at 6:00 p.m. We were so excited! 

Martha's story, page 2

Let me tell you something about my early life. I was raised in a Christian home. My dad was a Free Will Baptist preacher. He would go preach in North Carolina Mountains and mom, my sister (Louise), my brother (Jimmy), and myself stayed at home in Caroleen, N.C. 

I remember mama carrying me in her arms and my brother and sister walking by her side. Church was an important part of our lives and later, in my teen years, I taught the small children in Sunday school and was voted to be the pianist when I could only play one or two songs. Boy, it was scary! I also began taking care of Aunt Ann’s children, when I was thirteen and a half years old, while she worked. We had some good times and we would have birthday parties for each other.

Martha's story, "In the Beginning"

My mother spent many years writing and typing up her life story on an old typewriter.  When she had finished writing her memories and thoughts, she asked her granddaughter April Logan to enter it into a word document on the computer.  This is the first of many posts that will tell the story of my mom's life with my dad, in her words, this is how they met... 

“IN THE BEGINNING”

By: Martha Rice Franklin

            In the year 1947, I met a young man who was leading the singing in a tent revival in my hometown of Caroleen, N.C. I attended the services because as a Christian I enjoyed being where the Bible was preached. But there was another reason. I really liked this young man and also enjoyed hearing him sing. His hometown was Clifton, S.C. so other than getting to go to the services in the summer that was it. 

 

       Four years later, in February of 1951, I was at a talent program at Tri-High school, where I would graduate in May of that year. I heard someone call my name and when I looked around there was the young man that I had known four years earlier, but had almost forgotten. He asked to take me home and then came back the next day pretending to come to see my brother, Jimmy. He got there in time for Sunday dinner. Boy, Mama was a good cook! Some of the church folks would come to eat and they would rave about how good everything was. Those friends were Martha, Edna, and Lucille Coffey. They loved Mama’s banana and pineapple pudding. To me those didn’t look so good.  I had seen her wring the necks of so many chickens, that I couldn’t eat them. Later I saw what I missed and learned to love fried chicken. I liked everything else she cooked. 

Family Reunion successful!

The Franklin-Keeter family reunion has come and gone, and it turned out to be a success!  We had a lot of ideas to build on from the Baggett family reunion in 2011.  The turnout was a little less than we planned for, but that is to be expected at something like this.  There will always be those who plan to come, but then something comes up at the last minute to change their plans.   

We had 57 family and friends show up for this year's reunion in Cowpens.  

I am looking forward to getting the photos from Kimberly soon so that I can post more photos on this site and facebook.  We will definitely be planning a 2nd reunion, but will plan a year in advance so that more family can possibly be there next time. 

Attending this year's reunion were: 

Terry and Carole Albright and grandson Josh
Pat Brown
Greg and Kylie Brown. Emilee and Lydia
Jeff and CharityBrown, Neeley and Nyah 
Pastor and Mrs. Coley 
Donna Daly
Trey Daly
Gene and Martha Franklin
Tim and Cindy Franklin
Joshua and Janelle Franklin,
Brielle, Layton, Hudson
Stephen and Leah Franklin
Natalie, Meredith, Sophie, Ethan
Brandon and Rachel Franklin
Charlie and Haley Grace
Judy Mitchell
Darrell Mitchell
Tony and Debra Mitchell
Victoria
Dianne Pettit
Miranda Pettit
Gloria Walker
Kimberly and Paul Walker
Dylan, Kaitlin, Derek
Luke Walker
Barbara Wilkie
Charlie Wilkie and wife
and 2 kids
Annette Wilkie
Peyton and Jamie  Wilkie