Life Reflections of a Live Well Lived

Mattie Lucille Franklin

Mattie Lucille Franklin was born on July 28, 1941 to the parentage of the late Simon Clifton Franklin and Jo Anna Vaughns. Mattie accepted belief in Jesus Christ at an early age at Magnolia CME Church in Dallas, TX and was fully immersed in water baptism in 1961 at True Lee Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastoral Care of the late Rev. R.L. Parish in Dallas, Texas. Mattie later united in membership at Beginner's Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Mattie later united in membership at Beginner's Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Pace as a Musician. Mattie so loved the Gospel Music Ministry as a Musician at all Churches listed and upon her transition, she was currently in the Music Ministry of Changing Lives Gospel Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Broderick Lowe, Sr., Dallas, TX.

Mattie was an excellent pianist who learned the skill to read music and play by, "ear" at an early age of four (4) years old under the professional tutelage of the late Mrs. G.A. Hobart Sheppard of Greater Bethlehem Baptist in Dallas. She so loved the "Music Ministry" and on all occasions exhibited that "strict/firm" character for her Choirs/Singers to get it right! It is in the key of "C" and not "B." Those big eyes told it all ya'll!! (LOL). She so loved to laugh and tell jokes with her nieces and nephews…especially when her wig flew off on the roller coaster while in the company of many of her nieces and nephews at the State Fair of Texas and had to put Keith's baseball cap on. "Baby, give me your cap or we have to go home." (LOL) There numerous memories with her! Oh My! Mattie was something else!

Mattie received her early education from St. Anthony Catholic School and graduated from the great James Madison High School in 1959 where she was the pianist for the Grand Chorus and various organizations. Mattie is an Alumni from the University of Texas in Denton, Texas with a BA major in Music Education; was an excellent advocate in protesting in desegregation for the University and the City of Denton at the movie theatre (almost got expelled but the group kept it alive). Mattie was offered a position with the FBI in Washington DC but decided not to accept the position. Other professional careers were attained with DISD, Sears as a Division Manager, Docu-data Logistics and retired from Senior Living Source Caretakers. The Music Ministry was her, "heart" and she believed in Jesus Christ. Mattie loved the LORD and had mentioned many years ago, "My name is written in the Book of Life, Revelation 21:27."

Among many family members and friends to cherish memories: one sister, Judy Franklin McDonald, sister in law Carolyn Tarrant Franklin, numerous nieces, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, special cousins, Dorothy Masterson, Mary Kathryn Holley (McKinney, Texas), Kate Holley, Alma Jo Nelumn and Linda Phillips Holley of the DFW Metroplex.

We will miss the laughter and the many fond memories will rest in our hearts