CECIL EARL FRANKLIN, SR.

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Cecil Earl Franklin, Sr., age 94, of Donalsonville, GA who passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 at Great Grans Personal Care Home. Funeral services for Mr. Franklin will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at 2:00 PM at Friendship United Methodist Church in Donalsonville with the Rev. Kirk Loyless and Rev. Luther Hastey officiating. Captain George Whittaker of Georgia State Patrol Post 14 in Donalsonville, along with Larry Kastner, one of Mr. Franklin's grandsons, will deliver eulogies. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville. You may share your thoughts with the family by visiting our website at www.evans-skipperfh.com. Mr. Franklin was born on May 5, 1912 in Glen St. Mary, FL to the late Jesse Earl and Ether Shaw Franklin. He married Katherine Teal of Bainbridge on July 20, 1933, and they were married for 59 years prior to her death in 1992. Mr. Franklin was the last surviving member of the first Ga. State Patrol Trooper School. Upon completing requirements for graduation, the first day on the roadways was Sept. 9, 1937. During the 34 years that Mr. Franklin spent in law enforcement, 14 years were with the patrol and the other 20 were spent as an investigator with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. During his tenure with the Dept. of Public Safety, he served in Washington, Gainesville, and Cartersville, GA prior to moving to Donalsonville. He retired July 1, 1971 as a Lieutenant with the GBI. Mr. Franklin was a member of the Peace Officer's Association and the Roaming Winnies of Georgia. After retirement, he and Mrs. Katherine traveled all over the United States and as far as Nova Scotia. They always took their dog, Biscuit, and sometimes a grandchild with them. Mr. Franklin was an active member of Friendship United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Webb Bible Class. Mr. Franklin leaves to cherish his memory, a daughter, Cecilia Ann Franklin Hopkins and her husband Clifton of Tallahassee, FL; seven grandchildren, Kathy (John) Newman, Susan Kuhlman, Larry (Kathleen) Kastner, Dede Franklin, Kay Hartig, Bryan Hopkins, and Lee Hopkins; twelve great grandchildren, Steven Kastner, Jay Kuhlman, Mathew Kuhlman, Jesse Kastner, Leighton Brookins, Lane Caldwell, Erica Hartig, Jared Hartig, Mason Hopkins, Cecil Franklin IV, Spencer Franklin, and Kassidy Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Earl and Ether Shaw Franklin; his wife, Katherine Teal Franklin; a son, Cecil Earl Franklin, Jr.; and a grandson, Cecil Earl (Trey) Franklin, III. Serving as active pallbearers will be members of the Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Georgia State Patrol Post 14 and other post members of Troop G, as well as members of the Webb Bible Class. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friendship United Methodist Church PO Box 305 Donalsonville, GA or to the Senior Citizens Center 403 S. Wiley Ave. Donalsonville, GA 39845. Evans-Skipper Funeral Home of Donalsonville has been entrusted with the arrangements.