Virginia Mae Franklin

Virginia Mae Franklin

1932-2020Franklin, Virginia Obit-Folder Pic

Virginia Mae Franklin (nee Odom), also known as Deana, died on July 6, 2020. She was 87 years old. Virginia was born September 26, 1932, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the youngest of six children born to Oliver and Katherine (nee Perryman) Odom.

Virginia lived in Oklahoma City until the age of four, when her family relocated to California amidst the Oklahoma Dust Bowl. She and her family followed the crops in Central California for several years. Virginia had fond memories of living in tents and migrant worker housing, enjoying picnics after the day’s work was done, and spending time with her family. The Odom family settled in the California Bay Area, and Virginia graduated from Richmond High School in 1950, proudly becoming a member of the Honor Society during her education. Many years later, she took pride in the fact that her son, Gene, and eldest daughter, Susie, graduated from the same high school.

Virginia met the love of her life, Kerman Franklin, after he completed his military service and moved to California. They were married October 11, 1952, and had four children, Gene, Susie, Patty and Sandy.

Virginia devoted her life to caring for her family. She was an excellent cook, known especially for her apple pies, divinity, and fudge. Her love and affection for her grandchildren was boundless, and she spent as much time as possible with each of them. Virginia was a gifted athlete; her favorite activities were tennis, softball, volleyball and golf.

Virginia is survived by her children Gene Franklin and wife Tina, Susie Schwager and husband Earl, Patty Rippon and husband Steve, and Sandra Burkey. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sara Tröger, Nicole Morris, Rachel Hurd, Katherine Nieuwsma, Jill Macik, Zach Franklin, Caitlin Walsh, Grace Ann Vrazo, Alyssa Payton, Essie Barnes, Samuel Franklin, William Franklin, Peter Franklin, Andrew Franklin, and Molly Franklin, along with eighteen great grandchildren. Virginia is also survived by her loving sisters-in-law Pauline Jackson, Joann Freeman, and Rose Silva, and her brothers-in-law Blick and John Franklin.

Virginia was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Kerman Franklin, her parents Oliver and Katherine Odom, and siblings Owen Odom, Eldon Odom, Lavada Cardwell, Nita Marquez, and Betty Green.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, 2020, at 2:00 pm at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S Kelly, Edmond, OK, with burial to follow at Jones Cemetery, Jones, Oklahoma. Visitation will take place Thursday, July 9, 2020, at Matthews Funeral Home.

Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease that robs us of our loved ones far before their physical death. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/research.

We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to the health environment.  To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page.  Then click on ‘Videos’ then ‘Live Streams’.

2 thoughts on “Virginia Mae Franklin”

  1. Kerry Rippon

    Very nice! Her life sounded so filled with love and happiness! Hang on to your fond memories. She will be missed dearly.

    1. Anonymous

      Thanks Kerry, she will certainly be missed. She was the heart of the family.

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