Obit: Benjamin "B. J. " Franklin, Franklin Parish, LA Submitted by Shirley Ashley ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Franklin Sun--- Winnsboro, Louisiana December 6, 2000 ---Page 5A Volume 144 --- No. 17 Benjamin "B. J. " Franklin Funeral services for Benjamin "B. J." Franklin, 82, of Gilbert will be Saturday, December 9, 2000 at 11 A.M. at Wisner Elementary School. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens in Winnsboro under the direction of Richardson Funeral Home of Winnsboro. Wake services will be Friday, December 8, 2000, from 6 to 8 P.M., at New Macedonia Baptist Church in Gilbert. Benjamin Jerry Franklin, Sr. was born June 8, 1918, in Mangham, Louisiana and passed away on December 1, 2000. He was baptized August 1926 by Elder John Alexander at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church of Mangham. He remained a faithful servant of the Lord at New Macedonia Baptist Church of Gilbert until he was called home. Mr. Franklin was a fisher of men. He touched many lives and he led by example. He believed and illustrated by the manner in which he lived his life, that there were no big fish or no little fish, just fish. He never met a stranger. Mr. Franklin was the son of the late Reverend Henry Y. Franklin, Sr. and Fannie Walker Franklin. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Johnnie M. Stewart, and Beatrice Adams; four brothers, Charlie Franklin, James Franklin, Rev. Henry Franklin and Booker Franklin. Survivors include two brothers, Rev. James C. Franklin and Emerson Franklin; an aunt, Mary Atkins. Mr. Franklin married Mamon Clark Franklin on December 6, 1946 in Winnsboro, who preceded him in death in June 1992. To their union was born three sons, Benjamin Jerry Franklin Jr and wife Harvette; Rev. Clifton Larry Franklin and wife Jessie; Warren Keith Franklin and wife Brenda. To their family was added a daughter, Shirleen Maude Jackson. The Franklin's children blessed them with eight grandchildren, Darrin Christopher Franklin and wife Sophia; Clifton Larry Franklin II; Angelina G. Oliver and Cedric; Shauana Y. Burns and husband Darrell; Fatima J. Franklin, Benjamin Vance Wright, Carmen L. Franklin and Steven J. Franklin; five great-grandchildren, Jeremy A. Franklin, Jordan B. Franklin, Brandon C. Watts, Hailey Franklin and Darrell O. Burns, Jr.; a guardian child, Elzie Hollis. Mr. Franklin was the Superintendent of Sunday School at New Macedonia Baptist Church; deacon, Bible study teacher and president of the choir. He was a member in Princets; Board Member of Council on Aging; Retired Teacher of Parish, State, and National; Board Member of Association for the Mentally Retarded. Mr. Franklin attended Egypt Elementary School of Mangham; Franklin Parish Training School of Winnsboro; Grambling College, with a B.S. Degree, at Grambling, Louisiana; Texas Southern University, with a M.A. Degree, at Houston, Texas. Additional studies include, Southern University of Baton Rouge; Northeast Louisiana University of Monroe. Professional services include: 1946-1980 Public School in Franklin Parish; one year as Classroom teacher; six years as principal/teacher; 18 years as principal/ supervisor; 9 years as Coordinator of Attendance Service Title I. He retired July 31, 1980 with 39 years of experience. Mr. Franklin served in the United States Army from 1943-1945, Platoon Sergeant Quarter- master Truck Co. 345; Sergeant Medical NCO-673 in England, France, Belgium and Germany. Awards include: Four (4) Battle Stars. After retiring from the school system, Mr. Franklin felt called to do something more to help others. In 1991, he began working for the Franklin Parish Detention Center teaching (GED) and continued until his home coming. Mr. Franklin always felt that he still had work to do. He called it "Being about my father's business." Mr. Franklin was a lover of people. No matter where he journeyed he touched lives with words of wisdom. He believed in giving hugs; he was a strong man who didn't mind showing emotions. He disciplined with love and understanding. He supplied the fertilizer; but allowed you to select the seed; he suggested how to water, but let you choose how you would grow.