George Raymond Franklin was born on March 19th, 1882 in Polk County, Tennessee to; Mary Fitzgerald Franklin and John Mitchell Franklin.

George married Mary Ellen Buster in March, 1902. Together they worked diligently as farmers - while raising 9 children together. Their children were; John Prior (JP / Jake) born Dec 12th 1903, Nellie born Oct 20th, 1906, Essie (my Mother) born February 9th, 1909, Bessie (twins) born Feb 9th, 1909, Nona - born, Oct 12th, 1913, Lucy - born Nov 14th, 1918, George Fredrick (Fred) born - June 7th, 1922, Melvin James (Cotton) born - May 5th, 1926 & William - born - July 11th, 1916.

Grandpa was survived by 50 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at the Cookson Creek Baptist Church with the pastor, the Reverend Guy Smith, the Reverend Ailey Hall and the Reverend George Ward officiating. The Buckner Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Interment was in the Cookson Creek Cemetery.

George's wife Mary Ellen passed away on October 19th, 1931 at the young age of 49.

Grandpa lived his entire life on a farm. I remember as a young boy visiting him with my Mom, Essie. He never had running water - any water used for drinking, cooking, bathing or laundry was carried by bucket from the top of the "holler" from the spring pipe running out of the mountain. He never had electricity either - all of the lighting was from kerosene lanterns or a fireplace. In the winter - the only source of heat was from the fireplace or comforters. I remember the first time I slept on one of his matresses made from straw - covered with sheets. I kept trying to sleep, but the straw was poking my back. I kept complaining til my Mom said "hush up now and go to sleep". Or, the first time I had corn flakes with fresh "warm" milk from the cows udder. Grandpa said "we don't have no sweet milk". His country farm was an interesting life experience, for a city boy! His son John (Jake / JP) tried in vain to install modern conveniences for him - he refused saying "I was born this way - and, I'll die this way too". You know, that's exactly how he lived until he passed away at Bradley Memorial Hospital, in Cleveland, Tennessee, at the age of 83. I was a young boy visiting with my mother the bedside of my Grandpa when he was dying in Cleveland, Tennessee. I remember my Mother Essie (his daughter) prompting Grandpa to raise his hands in praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus - Grandpa Franklin did just that - over and over again he praised God until he went to see our King face to face. It's never too late to trust,Jesus! TO LIVE IS CHRIST - TO DIE IS GAIN!

Rest well with Jesus, Grandpa!