Trudy Frances Williams Franklin

Trudy Frances Williams Franklin, 81, of Morganton, NC passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017.  Born in Burke County, NC on September 4, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Estes Williams and Annie Belle Williams Whetstine.  She was a member of Mount Home Baptist Church.

Trudy is survived by her sons, Robert “Cob” Franklin and wife, Donna, of Morganton and David Franklin and companion, Diane Hodge, of Asheville, NC; daughters, Paula Franklin Clark of Morganton, Lu Franklin of Morganton, and Kathy Franklin Smith and husband, Richard, of Boiling Springs, NC; grandchildren, Sharon Files and husband, Jon, Heath Benfield and wife, Barbara, Kimmy Benfield, Melissa Suttles, Sara Ivie and husband, Nathan, Emily Gordon and husband, Wesley, and Leslie Benton and husband, Brian; great-grandchildren, Spencer Huffman, Maegan Suttles, Malachi Gouge, Madison Suttles, Kenzie Suttles, Sadie Ivie, Sebastian Benton, and Chanze Benton; brother, Jerry Whetstine of San Diego, CA; sister, Georgia Perry of Virginia Beach, VA; sister-in-law, Carolyn Cannon Williams; numerous nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Jane, George, and Tim Kincaid.

In addition to her parents, Trudy was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Spencer Franklin; brothers, Glen “Mutt” Williams, Joseph “Boots” Williams, and Robert “Bob” Williams, Sr.; and sisters, Muriel Williams Mintz and Martha Williams Hampton.

The family will receive friends from 11am to 12pm, Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Mount Home Baptist Church.  The funeral will be held at noon in the church with the Rev. Jerry Gamble and Heath Benfield officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  At other times the family will be at the home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to Susan G. Komen, Dept. 41831, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.