Tommy Franklin

Monday, January 14, 2008

CHARLESTON - Tommy Lee Franklin, 78, died at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Gary Wylde, in Charleston, on Jan. 10, 2008.

He was born June 12, 1929, at Birds Point, to the late Harry Arthur and Gertrude Riggs Franklin.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Johnny Dee Franklin and James Robert Franklin; and sister Betty Lee Franklin Davis.

He lived most of his life in Mississippi County. Being born near the banks of the Mississippi River, he spent most of his working life piloting tow boats from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. He considered himself a "River Rat."

Requesting not to be separated, he and his twin brother Johnny served their country together in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He was married on May 9, 1955 to Miss Barbara Jean Cooper, daughter of John Thomas and Edith Mae Cooper, with the Rev. William Sidney Bailey, Miss Cooper's grandfather, officiating.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Barbara Jean Parton of Burden, Kan.; brothers Harry Franklin of Pomona, Calif., William Franklin and his wife, Faye, of Wyatt; five children, Tommy Lee Franklin Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Alvin, Texas, Cynthia Renee Wylde and husband, Gary, of Charleston, Michael Kyle Franklin of Charleston, David Regan Franklin and his wife, Loretta, of Sikeston, Theresa Lorraine Shockley and her partner, Rhonda Lafferty, of East Prairie; 10 grandchildren, Tiffany Franklin, Christie Arnold, Timothy Evans, Tasha Evans, David Franklin Jr., KD Ailene Franklin, Ragen Kolwyck, Tracy Shockley, Teresa Shockley and Joe Shockley, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to Visiting Nurses Association Hospice for their excellent care.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Shelby Funeral Home, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

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The family requests donations be made to:

VNA Hospice P.O. Box 1608 Sikeston, MO 63801

Paid obituary