Dorothy Franklin

Dorothy Franklin, born to the union of the late John Thomas and Pearl (Watkins) Kidwell, was born September 14, 1921 in Hamburg, Arkansas. At the age of 13, Dorothy accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized at the Wilmot Baptist Church in Wilmot, Arkansas. Dorothy, or Dot as she was known to her family and friends, grew up in Wilmot where she graduated from high school. During a football game, Dot met the love of her life, Willie Lee “Dub” Franklin. According to Dot, Dub “joined the service so they’d have enough money to get married on”, so on February 1, 1941, Dot and Dub were united in marriage in Wilmot. They shared many wonderful years of marriage together and were blessed with two sons: Willie Lee and John Edward. Due to Dub being in the military, their family lived several different places. They were in Germany, Alaska, Oklahoma, but they lived the longest at Fort Leonard Wood. They moved to Fort Leonard Wood in 1954 and then came back in 1958. Dot raised her family here in the Waynesville area and both of her sons graduated from Waynesville High School. While Dub was stationed in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Dot went back to school and attended Business College in Lawton, Oklahoma. After moving back to the Waynesville area, she began working for the Waynesville School District and was employed there for 15 years. Dot enjoyed raising her boys and being able to be home with them. In her spare time, she was a very talented seamstress and made most of the boys’ clothing along with several Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. She was a Crusade Chairman for Pulaski County for the American Cancer Society for several years and also taught the youth at church when she was younger. She was a faithful member of Westside Baptist Church and was always there as long as she was able. Dot went home to be with her Lord Sunday, August 23, 2009 at her home at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 9 days. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. Dot leaves to cherish her memory two sons: Willie Lee Franklin, Jr. (Diane) of Manchester, and John Edward Franklin of Norman, Oklahoma; one sister: Vernice Bean of Ukiah, California; four grandchildren: Wendy Lynn Bailey, Jayme Franklin, Todd Franklin and Kristal Holleyman; three great grandchildren: Spencer Holleyman, Evan Bailey and Thomas Franklin; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Dot was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers: John Thomas and Mark Kidwell; and four sisters: Myrtle Lawrence, Evelyn Wolfe, Hazel Hough and Florrie Hough. Funeral services were held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 26, 2009 in Memorial Chapels and Crematory with Rev. Lindell Shelden and Rev. John Shaw officiating. A poem written by Andrew Xavier Miles McBean, a family friend, was read by Rev. John Shaw. Becky Lercher sang “In the Garden” and “How Great Thou Art”. Dorothy’s granddaughter, Wendy Bailey sang “Where Joy and Sorrow Meet”. Serving as escorts were Todd Franklin, Kenny Foster, Marvin Long, Dwight Hensley, Pat Howe and Jim Bales. Burial followed in Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made to the Westside Baptist Church and left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory.