Phena "Dee" Huffman Franklin was the third daughter of fourteen children born to John Henry and Annie Elizabeth Scroggins Huffman.

She was born three minutes before her twin Viva "Lee" Huffman McCoy. Her ancestry can be traced back to all the Royal Houses of Europe, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Russia.

Dee married Walter Mackey "Mack" Franklin July 4, 1946 at the home of Reverend Shankles, Robertstown, Conway Co., Arkansas. Dee and Mack were the parents of

1.James Mack, b.8/11/1947 d.11/3/1947,

2.William Larry, b.8/20/1948 d.3/26/2001, Larry married Living Moore.

3.Theresa Ann, b.8/18/1949 d.4/13/1979, Theresa married Roy Daniel Coffman.

4.Living Daughter, Living Daughter married Living Hamilton.

5.Living Son, Living Son married 1.Living Catalano, 2.Living Smith, 3.Living Dunning, 4.Living Beck.


Dee was a seamstress at Oberman Manufacturing for 13 years and continued there when it became Levi Strauss for another 14 years.

Dee was my mother. She made games of work, like no other. When the chicken houses had to be cleaned after each batch of chickens were taken. She, Larry and Theresa would make trails in the shavings, some with dead ends, to play the Fox and the Hens. When the houses were clean, our reward was a foot race from one end of the last house to the other. The last time Mama participated, she fell and broke her nose.
She made what she called "Tommy Walkers"(stilts) for all us kids to have Tommy Walker races. Dee also played the piano, she played really well. She couldn't read music, she played by ear, but you wouldn't know, she was that good(a gift that was passed down to my daughter).
As a child, I loved to go exploring in the nearby woods and fields, often I would be gone all day. Mama always prepared a "Lunch Bucket" for me consisting of peanut butter crackers and water. As long as I was home before dark, she didn't worry about me.

Dee was of the Church of Christ faith.

Mama passed away at 10:05 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Sister Hilda consoled me when she said "My dear child, what a blessing that the Lord took your mother home on the day of His Glorious Resurrection."

God looked around his Garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain. And knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes, He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly. When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain, We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again. You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide, You live on through your children, you're always by our side. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
Author Unknown

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