Mary L. Kirkpatrick Franklin, formerly of Lamesa, Texas passed away April 16, 2017. The family will receive visitors 6-8pm Wed. April 19, 2017 at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr. Waco, 76706. A graveside service will be held 1pm Fri. April 21 at Dawson County Cemetery, 1010 County Rd 20, Lamesa, TX 79331. The family is requesting that you join them to share memories at the 2nd Baptist Church, 1705 N. Bryan Ave., at 2pm following the service.
Mary Lorine Kirkpatrick Franklin was born on September 23, 1924, in Hillsboro, Texas, to Jewell Grant Kirkpatrick and Katy Nancy Burk Kirkpatrick. Mary was reared in the Hillsboro-Itasca area with her seven siblings and proudly claimed to be an Itasca Wampus Cat, where she and her sisters were a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court. After graduating from Itasca High School in 1942, she completed aviation technician training in Waco and, with World War II raging, was immediately hired by North American Aviation in Dallas. It was here she met Duel Elwood (Curley) Franklin, who boasted that upon seeing her for the first time, he turned to his buddy and said, “I’m going to marry that girl someday!” That day was just two months later on December 10, 1943, and they were inseparable until Curley’s death on July 24, 1992. During their 49 years of marriage, Curley and Mary were blessed with four children: Wallace, Valton, Coquessia (Coque), and Kimmie.
Mary loved deeply, laughed quickly, and cared for her family with a plethora of skills and talents. First and foremost, she was a farmer’s wife and taught her children to work hard and to take pride in their work. She could lay a row straighter than Curley and spent many hours with her girls in the fields hoeing weeds. On one memorable occasion, she proclaimed that they were “great hoers,” much to the bemusement of her daughters. She was a meticulous housekeeper and reserved Saturday morning for cleaning house, regardless of Friday night’s activities. More than once, she retrieved Coque and Kimmie from a slumber party at 7:00 AM to clean the house. She was a skilled seamstress, making the girls’ dresses when they were little. Their yards of ruffles and gathers were her pride and joy. With her outgoing personality, she thrived in sales at Fenton’s Dad and Lad and Cowboy Supply. And could she ever crease a Stetson!
When she wasn’t working hard, she loved to have fun. She was a “mean” basketball player and mercilessly showcased her talents to her kids on N. 16th Street in Lamesa. No one challenged her to a game of horse! She and Curley spent endless hours cheering for the boys’ basketball teams and hosting jam sessions in the garage. A welcoming hostess, Mary often had a home full of kids and grandkids, who enjoyed her amazing cooking. She fried chicken better than the Colonel, and her chocolate fried pies were legendary. After retiring from farming, she and Curley moved to Lake Brownwood, where she owned and operated Mary’s Country Kitchen. For at least two weeks every summer, she again utilized free labor in the form of grandkids, who were awakened before 5:00 AM to begin food prep and to work the tables. They loved it! And, despite not always calling their correct names on the first or second or third tries, she loved them. Although, that didn’t spare them from being scared senseless by a certain witch appearing suddenly in a basement window on Halloween. At Christmas, she would make anonymous “Santa calls” to neighbors and those in need. She was a beautiful, fun-loving woman who exuded a dignified warmth and was appropriately and affectionately referred to as “Grandmother” by her grandchildren. Most importantly, Mary and Curley shared a lifetime of serving God. For many years, they were active members of Northside Baptist Church in Lamesa, where he served as music minister.
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved Curley and five siblings: Louise Walker, James Otis Kirkpatrick, Catherine Bean, Lois Allen, Gloria Fields, and Kenneth Kirkpatrick. She is survived by her sister, Precious Pearl Sheets of Seminole, TX; by her children: Wallace and Paula Franklin of Trophy Club, TX; Valton and Kandy Franklin of Trophy Club, TX; Coque and Billy Lawson of Riesel, TX; and Kimmie Franklin Etheredge of Grandview, TX; by her grandchildren: Robyn and Brian Neuhoff of Highland Park, TX; Chad and Chrisa Oakley of Trophy Club, TX; Lance and Mistelle Oakley of Trophy Club, TX; Kacy Franklin of Dallas, TX; Austin and Carla Franklin of Dallas, TX; Kama and Jamie Hoover of Riesel, TX; Kyla and Jason Dieterich of Otto, TX; Tanner and Maci Etheredge of Prosper, TX; Kandace and Brad Collins of Grandview, TX; and Tucker and Keli Etheredge of Grandview, TX; by her great grandchildren: Madelyn Neuhoff; Breely, Braxton, and Brecka Oakley; Cade and Maddox Oakley; Lawson Neuenschwander; Kyson, Kolt, and Kerrigan Dieterich; Cason and wife Kayla, Keaton, and Cash Etheredge; Carter, Codi, and Kenna Collins; and Caleb Etheredge; and by one great-great grandchild, Ella Kate Etheredge. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her faithful dog, Buffy, as well as many friends at Groesbeck LTC in Groesbeck, TX.
Mary joined Curley in Heaven for an early Easter sunrise on April 16, 2017; his outstretched arms undoubtedly awaiting her as she ran to join him in paradise.