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) 

A four generation photo from the past

Four generations (photo from Sept 1954) 

Cindy on her dad's lap - Joel Layton (J.L.) Baggett, Jr. 

Mildred (Mam-ma) Lorena Franks Baggett (left) 

Josie Viola Kindrick Franks (great-grandmother)

Reunion 2014 in photos

"Cousin" Joe Rogers and Uncle Joel Blackstock 

in conversation at the reunion.  

 Joel is married to Cindy's aunt Robbie Kay Baggett Blackstock.

Joe is the son Aunt Bea (Beatrice Baggett) Rogers 

who was the sister of Cindy's grandfather, 

Joel Layton Baggett, Sr.

Reunion photos 2014

Susan Blackstock  always does a great job taking our group photo for the reunion.  

Only she could round up 58 people and make them sit still for a photo!   

She also has a charming way with the kids!

If you live in Arkansas you can check her out at this link to susanblackstockphotography

Susan, cousin Mike's wife, with Charlie, Loren and Haley Grace! 

Reunion 2014 photos

Special times at the Baggett/Franks Reunion June 2014

Cindy holding grandbaby Asher and talking to Aunt Dolores Franks  and Mary Franks 

Reunion 2014 in photos

One of my favorite photos from the reunion  -  

I was able to capture the moment as Aunt Robbie gives 

Daniel one of her special hugs. 

Reunion photos June 14, 2014

Reunion 2014 photo -  Franks family -  

It was great to see some of the family of Mam-ma (Mildred Franks Baggett) at the reunion this  year.  Jesse G Franks (we called him Uncle Bo) was represented by his wife Dolores Franks, daughter Mary Franks and son David Franks.  Three of David's children were with him as his wife had to stay home with the other three children.  

Baggett Family Reunion June 14 2014

Video for Memorial Day: "Here's to the Heroes: A Military Tribute"

Thanks to my dad, Gene Franklin, and others who served our country in time of war. Dad was in the Navy from 1944-1946, during World War II. This video tribute sung for the Ten Tenors..."Here's to the Heroes"

Tracing our ancestry recently, we learned that one my grandfather Charles Clinton Franklin's brother Private John P Franklin was killed in action, Feb 19, 1919, during WWI.

Matha's Story, page 6

After returning from our honeymoon to Gatlinburg, TN,  we went to Clifton, SC to live with Gene's mom for a few weeks.  We stayed with his mom for about a month.  Gene's Mom (Mattie Belle) was such a good cook.  She would not only cook good meals, but would also make cobblers or fried pies for dessert.  She really spoiled me.   When we were sitting in the living room, Gene's six year old nieces, Patsy and Judy, were also living at grandma's. They would peek through the keyhole to see what we were doing. Judy went with us many times to visit my mom and dad in North Carolina. She as told this story through the years "When we went to bed, I would be between them, but I would wake up on the other side of the bed!" 

After four weeks, we found a mill house to rent.  We didn't have much but we were so happy to have a place of our own.  In the summer of 1952, we purchased a Frigidaire.  Boy, were we thrilled!  We had been using block ice to keep things cold.  Then my mother bought us a beautiful dinette set. The color was gold and we loved it!

Remembering Mam-Ma Baggett this week!

Mildred Baggett was born 100 years ago, January  22, 1914.  She was called "Mam-Ma Baggett" by everyone who knew her, including the preacher. 

To remember her this week, Cindy cooked Mam-Ma Baggett's special spaghetti recipe for us to enjoy!

IRISH-ITALIAN SPAGHETTI

1 chopped onion
2 Tablesp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp tobasco sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
dash red pepper
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 8 oz. package of spaghetti 

Directions: Cook onion in hot oil until golden.  Add meat and seasonings;  brown slightly; cover and let simmer 10 minutes.  Add soups, cover and let simmer 45 minutes. 
Cook spaghetti in boiling, salted water until tender.  Drain and rinse with hot water. 
Arrange on a hot platter or plate and pour sauce over spaghetti.  Serves 4-6

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.   

Great Memories!

                                                                                                                 

A favorite photo 
from the past - 
riding the Galveston 
Ferry in 1977

with Carl, JL and 
Mam-Ma Baggett.

Mam-Ma was born 
on Jan 22, 1914 
(100 years ago) 

and died on Jan 26, 1999.

J.L. was born on 
Dec 24, 1931 
and died Nov 5, 2002.

                          




In memory of Mam-Ma (Mildred) Baggett and Cindy's dad J.L. Baggett, Jr.