Earl Franklin

"1939 ~ 2017"

Canton - Earl Bernard Franklin, 78, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at his residence.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Robert and Lydia Shipman Franklin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mull "Dot" Franklin, who died in 2009; two sisters; and one brother. Earl was a United States Army veteran having served in the Korean Conflict. He retired from Champion Papers with 43 years of service in 2001 and was a member of Canton First Baptist Church. Earl was a member of the Pigeon River Masonic Lodge #386 A.M. & F.M. as well as a Shriner, and a member of the Pigeon Valley Bassmasters. One of Earl's favorite pastimes was mountain clogging, having danced with the Dixie Darlin's, Green Valley Cloggers and the Carolina Cloggers. Above all else, Earl was a loving husband to his wife, Dot, for 46 years and a wonderful family man.

He is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Young and Chandra Austin and her husband, Charlie, all of Candler; one son, Jeff Franklin and wife, Angie, of Canton; six grandchildren, Dovey, John, Jessie, Caylee, Hannah and Logan; and his loving companion of four years, Martha "Susie" Simons.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service and again immediately following the service at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to the Oxford Orphanage, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

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