Franklin, Dorothy Baker

Surrounded by her loving family, Dorothy Baker Franklin, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Radford, on Friday, June 5, 2015. She was born in Radford, Va., to the late William H. and Eva McDaniel Baker.

Dot graduated from Radford High School and attended Emmanuel College in Franklin Spring, Ga., where she met her future husband, Charles Franklin of Narrows, Va. She began her working career, alongside her husband, teaching in a multi-grade, two-room school in McDowell County, W.Va. After moving back to Va., she was employed by Verizon for twenty years before retiring.

Dot joined the Radford Worship Center at the age of eleven and remained a dedicated member for 71 years. She served, at various times during the years, as a Sunday School teacher, and always supported her church family and related activities. She especially enjoyed attending Wednesday Morning Bible Class taught by her husband. She reached out to help others outside her church by participating in the Meals on Wheels program. Dot enjoyed tending her flowers and was a past member of the Radford Garden Club. She was an avid reader and liked sharing books with family and friends from her extensive personal library. Dot was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her greatest passion in life was her family. The family cherishes all those Sunday dinners, holiday dinners, special occasions, and family gatherings at “Grandma’s house.” All who passed through her door were welcomed with a warm smile and a sweet spirit. Her gentle nature will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew her.

Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband of 64 years, Dr. Charles B. Franklin; daughters, Becky Roy of Huntsville, Ala., Cathy Burton and her husband Howard Burton of Rocky Gap, Va., Ruthie Taylor and her husband Butch of Christiansburg, Va., and Pam Rigney and her husband Carl of Radford, Va.; a son, Randy Franklin and his wife Allison of Pulaski, Va.; 14 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Frankie Shockley of Salem, Va., Frances Parks and her husband Kenneth of Lilburn, Ga., and Peggy Beller and her husband Pete of Radford, Va.; 3 nephews and 2 nieces.

Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at the Radford Worship Center with Dr. Hal Adams officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 4 p.m.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Appalachian Pentecostal Conference Cemetery in Dublin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Food Program at the Radford Worship Center, 1820 Second Street, Radford, VA 24141.

The Franklin family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com