Obituary of Mildred D. Franklin

Mildred D. (McDowell) Franklin, age eighty-six years, four months and thirteen days, departed this life Saturday evening, January 31, 2009 lovingly surrounded by her family. She was born on September 18, 1922 in Damsel, Missouri, the youngest of five children born to the late Green Berry and Elsie (Mansfield) McDowell. On April 21, 1945, Mildred married James A. Franklin, Sr. at Faith Bible Academy in Roach, Missouri, and to this union five children were born. Jim preceded her in death on April 18, 2005 after sixty years of marriage. In addition to her parents and husband, Mildred was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald Keith Franklin and James A. Franklin, Jr.; two brothers Kenneth McDowell and Ralph McDowell; and two sisters, Erma Barnes and Irene Franklin. Mildred is survived by one son, Ralph D. Franklin and wife Vicki, two daughters, Elaine Gilley and husband Jim, Jackie Gordon and husband Dave, and a daughter-in-law, Julie Franklin, all of Linn Creek, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Michelle Oboyski and husband David of Lenexa, Kansas; Angela Bettinger and husband Tim of Robison, Texas; Daniel Nye and wife Cindy of Lawson, Missouri; Joshua Franklin and wife Cassie of Macks Creek, Missouri; Jennifer Wolfe and husband Tony of Klein Gerau, Germany; Matthew Gilley and wife Kristen of Lee�s Summit, Missouri; Sarah Wickam and husband Steve; Charlie Gordon; Stephanie Franklin and Andrea Franklin of Linn Creek, Missouri; fourteen great-grandchildren; David, Samuel, and John Oboyski; Shayna and Christopher Bettinger; Austin and Wyatt Nye; Matthew Willis and Mitchell Franklin; Maxwell Wolfe; Owen, Avery, and Lauren Gilley; and Scarlett Wickam. She is also survived by a large, loving extended family, and many treasured friends. The McDowell and Mansfield families originally settled in Camden County in the 1800�s. Mildred was a life-long resident of Camden County having lived as a small child in Old Linn Creek prior to the building of Bagnell Dam. She witnessed the water rising as it covered homes and buildings as families moved from Old Linn Creek to the �new� Linn Creek and Camdenton areas. A life long Methodist, she attended Harper�s Chapel as a young lady growing up in the Damsel area. She later was a member of the Linn Creek Methodist Church and was a charter member of the Camdenton United Methodist Church. Mildred was a 1940 graduate of Linn Creek High School. After graduating at the top of her class, she worked for a brief period at First National Bank in Linn Creek before becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. She and Jim lovingly raised their five children in Camdenton. In 1972, she and Jim moved to their home on State Road A in Linn Creek where she lived until her passing. Mildred was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was always her number one priority. She was a caring neighbor and friend. Mildred was an excellent cook and homemaker. Family and friends alike were always welcome in the Franklin home for a meal. Our family has lost a very special treasure. We will cherish the memories she created for her family and friends