Ralph James Franklin

Ralph James Franklin, 92, of Drexel, NC died Saturday, January 18, 2014. Born in Burke County, NC on October 1, 1921, he was the son of the late John Kelly Franklin and Bertie Hall Franklin. Ralph was a loving and giving father who loved his grandchildren and was an avid gardener and loved to cook.He is survived by daughters, Janice Huffman and husband, Stephen of Valdese, NC, Dianne Felder and husband, James of Charlotte, NC; daughter in law, Carole Franklin of Valdese; grandchildren, Todd Huffman and wife, Jackie of Valdese, Jamie White and husband, Pat of Fort Mill, SC, Brian Huffman and wife, Cherie of Valdese, Jarrett Felder and wife Alicia of Houston, TX, Mark Franklin of Valdese, Chad Franklin and wife, Mary of OK; great grandchildren, Jonathan and Kaylee Huffman, Zachary and Harper White, Payton Huffman, Hannah and Madison Felder, Kelsey Franklin, Danny and Nichole, Laila Franklin; sisters, Helen Berry, Margaret Epley and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by wife, Naamah "Nicky" Pearl Howell Franklin, son Rondell Franklin, brothers, Paul Franklin, Earl Franklin; sisters, Ruth Sutton, Gladys Houck, Faye Wilcoxin and niece, Paula Reep.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Drexel First Church of God with the Reverends Steve Greer and Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.