By Staff
Fort Payne
Mr. Marion Watson Franklin, 93, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, at his residence in Fort Payne. He was a native of Brewton, a former resident of Atmore, and a resident of Fort Payne. He was with Hainje's Furniture for 62 years, rising to the position of general manager of the stores in Brewton, Greenville, Monroeville and Atmore. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Brewton where he served in Sunday school as secretary and treasurer for 17 years and served on the board of Stewards. He was a charter member of the Brewton Lions Club, an original director of the Brewton Housing Authority, and secretary/treasurer for the Brewton Country Club. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and received the good conduct medal, the American campaign medal with two bronze battle stars and the World War II Victory medal. While in Fort Payne he attended Grace Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Fort Payne Rotary Club. He and his wife of 61 years, Annie Kate, moved to Fort Payne in 1999. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2000.
He is survived by his sons, Samuel Holley (Betty) Franklin of Birmingham, and Benjamin Scott (Nancy) Franklin of Munich, Germany; a daughter, Kate Franklin (Terry) Gillis of Fort Payne; granddaughters, Lindsay Franklin (Matthew) Taylor of New York City, and Meg Franklin of Birmingham; a sister, Mary Catherine Luker of Brewton, a great grandson and a team of caregivers.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Payne with the Rev. David Hammond officiating and Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends in Brewton on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Brewton. A private burial will follow at Union Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements.