Richard Franklin

Mr. Richard Lee Franklin passed away suddenly on December 11, 2014 at the age of 68 years. He was born June 25, 1946 in Scotts, Mississippi on Delta Pine Plantation to John Sr. and Ammie Franklin.
Richard was a caring and compassionate father, son, brother, uncle and grandfather who spent his entire life being a kind and loving gentleman. With those characteristics, he captured the hearts of dozens of people throughout the years and became known to many adoringly as Pops.
In his teenage years, the family moved to Greenville, Mississippi where he was a member of Springfield Church and worked at the Greenville Mill. While working at the mill, he was good friends with Leroy Davis and Nettles Wright. Shortly after graduating from Nugent Center High School (now known as Ray Brooks High School) in 1965, he packed up his blue 1957 Buick hardtop and headed to Saginaw, Michigan to work in the automotive industry. He was employed by General Motors for 23 years at the Malleable Iron Plant in Saginaw, Michigan, the birthplace of his children. He had a deep love for cars and was naturally affectionate toward every person he met. He would do anything he could to help everyone around him and he will always be remembered as the loving and generous man that he was.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his soul mate and companion, Kathleen Mask; children, Sabrena Presley of Marietta, Georgia, Kwami (Andrea) Franklin of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Richard Bishop and Montrel Franklin of Louisville, Kentucky and Sterling Pierson of Saginaw Michigan; adopted sons, Ivan Mask and Duriel Mask both of Saginaw, Michigan; one brother, LC (Irene) Franklin of Greenville, Mississippi; three sisters, Lela Mae Franklin of Greenville, Mississippi, Rosie Lee (Clifton) Maddox and Essie B. Franklin of Los Angeles, California; special cousins, Linda Tyler, Thomas Haynes and Roosevelt Haynes all of Saginaw, Michigan; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents John Sr. and Ammie Franklin, grandparents, Harrison Haynes Sr. and Mamie Haynes, brother, John Franklin Jr., aunt, Lucille Haynes and special cousins, Thelma, LC, Spanky and Joe Haynes.
Visitation: Friday, December 19, 2014 - 2:00pm - 7:00pm
(Family Hour: 6:00pm - 7:00pm)
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan
989-754-4826
Funeral Service: Saturday, December 20, 2014 - 10:00am
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan
989-754-4826
Officiating: Pastor Albert Haynes, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery