Deacon Frank Paul Franklin Sr.
85, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for Deacon Frank Paul Franklin Sr., 85, of Columbia, who died on Friday, Feb. 3. Burial followed in St. John National Baptist Church Cemetery. Pastor Rickey Lee officiated at the services.
Visitation was held from 9 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday, Feb. 11, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
He was born in Marion County on April 4, 1937. His life was well lived and he was well loved.
This gentle, loving and caring man has left a permanent mark etched in our hearts and will be supremely missed by his wife and best friend of 62 years, Annette. Their union was blessed with six children.
He spent his life as a hardworking, dedicated, faithful and loving man. He had a longstanding relationship with God. He was a dedicated member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained to be a Deacon in 1962 under the leadership of Rev. O.W. Spates and has served faithfully for 60 years. His faith guided him until his final breath.
Family was pivotal in his life. He was proud and honored to be the patriarch, father and pawpaw to our large family. He has been an influential presence in the lives of children and has a unique and special bond with each of his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Hattie Franklin; son, Frank Paul Franklin Jr.; grandson, Shon Sims; one sister, Edith Harrison; and three brothers, J.W. Franklin, Roosevelt Franklin and John Franklin.
Survivors include his wife, Annette Johnson Franklin; children, Jerry Sims (Sharon), Sheba McLendon (Jonathan), Howard Franklin (Kelly) and Felicia Irvin (Johnny), all of Columbia, and Cedric Franklin (Yolanda) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Chadwick Franklin (Ariquica) of Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren, Courtney, Corbin, Anissia, Chelsey, Acacia, Kayla, Katelynn and Chandler; bonus grands, Sydney and Landon; 11 great-grandchildren; and God grandchildren, Joy Varnado, Ronald Harvey Jr. and Cheryl Bond.
He will be sadly missed by all. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us.
Pallbearers were Jason Spencer, Dillon Hertenstein, Chandler Franklin, Jason Gardner, Ronald Harvey and Caleb Varnado. Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Irvin, Jerry Sims, Cedric Franklin, Jonathan McLendon, Howard Franklin and Chadwick Franklin.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to everyone who called, prayed and assisted us during this during this difficult time. Also, a special thanks to Dr. Debbie Azar, Forrest General Home Health, TCU Staff of Merit Health-Wesley, 3E Staff, Judy Gill, Columbia Family Clinic and Janet Johnson. May God bless each of you.
Funeral services entrusted to Washington Funeral Home in Tylertown.
