FRANCES SHARRADON PHELPS FRANKLIN
1938-2017
Fran Franklin, a loving wife and mother and wonderful friend to many went to be with our Lord after suffering a stroke on Thanksgiving Day. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, James Wallace and Barbara Allen Phelps; brothers-in-law Thomas Jennings Franklin and Douglas Helton and daughter-in-law Karen Lynn Franklin. She is survived by her husband, William C. Franklin, MD, her children Christopher Phelps Franklin and his children Elizabeth Brooke and William Christopher Franklin; Elizabeth Blair and her husband John William Robinson and their son William Blake Robinson, sister Betty Jean Helton, sister-in-law Leona Franklin and nieces Tanya Diane and her husband David J. Bieterman; Susan Leigh and husband John Crosley; nephews Daniel Jennings Franklin and wife Kim and David Allen Phelps and wife Suzi and several great nieces and nephews.
Fran was born a coal miner’s daughter on April 5, 1938, in Martin, Kentucky. After graduating from St. Mary’s School of Nursing, in Huntington, West Virginia, she worked as an obstetrics nurse in McDowell where she met her husband Bill. After a sweet and short courtship they were married in Van Lear, Kentucky on June 18, 1960. Following their honeymoon in New Orleans, they moved to Houston, Texas for Bill’s residency at the VA Hospital.
Fran and Bill made Bethany Christian Church their spiritual home soon after their arrival to Houston and continue to be very active today. She has been a faithful member of the choir, singing alto for the past 57 years. She was involved in many of the church’s organizations and even volunteered to answer the phones every Thursday until this time.
Fran was also active in her husband’s practice working as his nurse at times and volunteered for many of her children’s school organizations. She was a member of Christian Women’s Fellowship, the singing wives of physicians group, the Medilarks and the Harris County Women’s Auxillary.
Everyone knew Fran to be kind, generous and lovingly devoted to her family and friends. Her love for all people made it easy to engage her in friendly conversation; anywhere and at any time and no matter if you were family, friend or total stranger. She was always sincere in her caring and concerns for what was going on in people’s lives.
A memorial service has been planned for Saturday, December 16, at 10:00 am, at Bethany Christian Church, 3223 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77098 . The family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethany Christian Church, The Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe or any other charity of choice.