Azalee "Big Momma" Chapman Franklin

Azalee "Big Momma" Chapman Franklin, 60, of Morganton went to be the Lord on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Born in Burke County, NC on March 17, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Frank John Chapman and Elsie May Smith Chapman. Azalee loved and was loved by many, and she never met a stranger.Mrs. Franklin is survived by her sons, Chris Franklin and Gage Charlet a daughter, Wendi Jones; grandchildren, Garan Wilburn and Madison Bentley; and sisters, Betty Abee, Judy Abee, Eula Baker, Diane Harvey, Doris Holloman, Carolyn Norville, Edith Pritchard, Shirley Teague, and Mattie Satterwhite.In addition to her parents, Azalee was preceded in death by her husband, William Ronnie Franklin, and a sister, Bonnie Ross.Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Burke Memorial Park with Rev. Jeff Boone officiating. A celebration of Azalee’s life will follow at 2:00 p.m., Thursday at Morganton Free Will Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.To help with funeral expenses, memorial contributions may be made to Edith Pritchard, P.O. Box 2153, Morganton, NC 28680.