Mr. Lester Franklin, age 73, of Parrottsville passed away Thursday, September 2, 2004 at Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol, TN.

Mr. Franklin worked in the automotive industry for 28 years in Michigan. He played guitar and sang locally in a bluegrass/country band in and around Newport and Marshall, NC before moving to Michigan where he played in a band known as Les and The Bluegrass Pickers for 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe Lester Franklin and Vestina Parton Franklin, and an infant sister.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Franklin of the home, daughters and sons-in-law, Bill and Loretta Snap of Greeneville, Donnie and Theresa Livesay of Sneedville, Art and Vestinia Dudal of Detroit, MI; daughter, Georgia Lee Franklin of Detroit, MI; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Adra Franklin of Newport; sons, Bobby Dale Franklin of Newport and David Parton; stepchildren, Ted Randall, Fred Randall, Dewayne Randall, Ellen Dicks, Patricia Clark and Sherry Lawson, all of Detroit, MI, Peggy Crawford of Parrottsville, and Barbara Lawson of TN; 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; special granddaughter, Marian Moore; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clyde and Virginia Franklin, Johnny and Cindy Franklin, both of Parrottsville, Oscar and Lucille Franklin, and Dewey and Shirley Franklin, all of Richmond, VA; sisters, Lucille Norton of Gray, Elizabeth Metcalf of Parrottsville, Betty Parks, Barbara Norton and Linda Norton, all of Newport; sister and brother-in-law, Robert and Virginia Melton of Greeneville; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Robin Whitlock.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 6, 2004 at 2 p.m. at Costner-Maloy Funeral Chapel with Rev. Buster Shelton and Rev. Robert Lee Johnson officiating with interment to be at White's Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 5, 2004 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Costner-Maloy Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be grandchildren and friends.