Jo (Lauraine) Franklin, 81, passed away Monday, December 10, 2012 at her home in Baytown, TX. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 AM Saturday, December 15th at Hopewell Cemetery in Normangee, TX with a visitation scheduled at the graveside from 10 – 11AM prior to the service. James Sorters will officiate. Jo was born September 1, 1931 to George Lauraine, Sr. and Joyce (Smith) Lauraine in Goose Creek (what is now known as Baytown), TX and was delivered by Dr. Robbins in the family home. Jo married Frank B. Franklin on April 21, 1952 and they lived on their farm in Normangee, TX until 1962. Jo enjoyed the farm life; she worked cattle, rode horses, operated tractors, milked cows, raised chickens, raised hogs, canned pickles, drove a 40' long cattle trailer, drove an "International" rig, and went on trail rides. They then moved to Houston where she worked as an insurance claims clerk. After Frank's death in 1983, she returned to Baytown, cared for her mom, gardened, fished, was on the boards of Hill Rest Cemetery and the Bay Area Heritage Society, and worked for State Farm Insurance until her retirement in 1997. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank Franklin; brother-in-law and wife, George and Emma Franklin; nieces, Katherine Lauraine and Lisa Lauraine McPherson and husband, Gary; brother, George Lauraine, Jr. Survivors include her nieces, Janet Robinson and husband Wayne, Belinda Lauraine, Ester Lauraine Bearden and husband Bob, Paula Lauraine Winters and husband Thom, and Lois Lauraine Harding and husband Cliff; nephews, Charles G. Franklin and wife Ima Jean, Michael Lauraine and wife Cathy, and George Glen Lauraine; sister-in-law, Lois Lauraine; her favorite aunt, Ruth Smith; 19 great nieces and nephews; and 9 great-great nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to Normangee Public Library, Normangee United Methodist Church, Normangee Volunteer Fire Department, and Hill Rest Cemetery in Baytown.