Ora Beatrice Poole Franklin died April 14 at the age of 85. She was born April 24, 1936 in Perry County to Ozie and Hudson Poole. “Granny B” was a devoted Christian, mother, and friend. She confessed Christ and joined her family’s church, Shiloh, at an early age. She became a minister at the age of 39 and a pastor under the umbrella of the A.M.E. Zion Church. She joined Bayspring A.M.E. Zion church in 1953 and became associate pastor, where she served for many ears. She pastored at Zion Hill in Coatopa, Rose Chapel in Forkland, and Elmwood in Akron. She devoted four decades to evangelism. She was preceded in death by a devoted husband, Robert Fred Franklin; loving parents, Enoch Hudson Poole and Ozie Lee Poole; siblings, Willie Lewis Poole, Andrew Lewis Poole, Rosa Ella Robinson, Roscoe Frank Poole, and Glenda Jean Poole; and two children, Baby boy Franklin and Brenda Ann (John) Carpenter. Survivors include siblings Etta B. (Paul), Odelle (Willie), Joseph Carver, Hudson Jr. (Linda), Otha Edward (Joyce), and Alma Dean (Glen); aunts, Sue Willie Carter and Rebecca Tubbs; children, Fredericka (Randle) Jennings, Rodney (Lakessiah) Franklin, Sheila Franklin, Sabrina (William) Riley, Natasha Franklin, Angela (George) Harris, Tomiko (Eric) Essix, Denice (Tarrance) McKanney, and Maurice Franklin; 23 grandchildren, Johnathan, Adrianna, Rico, Violeta, Frederick, Robert, Brittany, Ashanti, Simya, Jada, Kourtney, Peyton, Robert, Shakira, Brandon, Kendrick, Finesse, Osiris, Royale, Amun, Antwan (2004), Alex, Mikiah; and 22 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Funeral services were held Sunday, April 24 at Shiloh Church with Washington and Paige Mortuary directing.
