Martha Barksdale Carter Franklin, 75

Published 4:08 pm Tuesday, July 22, 2014

LYNCHBURG, July 22 – Martha Barksdale Carter Franklin, 75, of Westminster Canterbury, 501 VES Road, Lynchburg, and formerly of Farmville and Hampden-Sydney, Abilene and Darlington Heights in Prince Edward County, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2014.

She was the faithful and supportive helpmate for 48 years to her husband, the Reverend A. Howell Franklin, who served 36 years in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was the loving daughter of Edward Alexander Carter and Ruby McNair Carter Carter.

She loved to dance in Farmville at Crab Orchard and Woodmen of the World in her younger years. She was fun-loving and had an excellent and pleasing personality. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She was an accomplished pianist, organist and hand-bell ringer. In 1970 she sang in the 5500 voice choir at the East Tennessee Billy Graham Crusade in Knoxville, TN.

Mrs. Franklin was a real Southern Lady from the “Old School” who loved her family, friends, church, roses, jewelry, chicken, honey nut cheerios, and ice cream, especially chocolate and butter pecan.

She also loved her pets “Chico” and “Tittens”. “Papa Bear” and “The Little Fella” were her favorite stuffed animals.

She attended Farmville High School and Longwood University. She worked as an insurance secretary, medical secretary, and many years as a homemaker. She met her husband at a Christmas dance at Oakwood Country Club on a double date and became college sweethearts.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the following for the excellent and caring medical attention and treatment given to her at Westminster Canterbury, Drinkard and Hearthside Assisted Living and Skilled Care, Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, Virginia Baptist Hospital Skilled Care Unit, and Centra Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to The General Endowment Fund at Westminster-Canterbury, 501 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, or Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5810 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502,

Graveside services will be held in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rice, just west of the intersection of 460 and 307, Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Joseph C. McCutchen, retired Presbyterian pastor and the Rev. Bart W. Edwards, pastor of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Everyone is invited to attend a visitation at Westminster-Canterbury in The Hume Room, Thursday, July 31, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424), is assisting the family.

Condolences may be sent by visiting: tharpfuneralhome.com