Mr. Virgil Leon Franklin age 55 of Graceville, FL passed away Tuesday March 24th at his residence.
A graveside service will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday March 28th at the Greater Buckhorn M. B. Church Cemetery located at 4691 Hwy 162 Marianna, FL with Pastor’s Larry Brown, Darrold Franklin, Ed Franklin and Dan J. Williams officiating, with McKinnie Funeral Home of Campbellton, FL directing.
A public viewing will held from 3 to 7 p. m. Friday, March 27th at the Shira Sr. and Chelcie McKinnie Memorial Chapel located at 5304 Bowden Hill Road Campbellton, FL.
Life began for Mr. Virgil Leon Franklin on September 10, 1964 in Donaldsonville, GA to the late William H. Franklin and Lucille Brown.
He graduated from Hope School, Marianna, FL. He held various jobs during his lifetime, some of which included Park Attendant with JCARC, forklift driver, fry cook, packer and assembler.
He was brought up attending church and received Christ at an early age. He joined Third United Holiness Church in Graceville, FL, and was affiliated with several other churches in the surrounding panhandle area and while he lived in Minnesota. After returning to Florida he joined St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church, Jacob, FL., however; he attended and was the drummer for Pope Chapel AME Church, Marianna, FL., where Rev. Larry Brown is Pastor.
He enjoyed many things, some of which included eating out; traveling as much as possible with whomever was rolling first. Checking out the “girls”, cooking, family time, playing the drums and singing, especially his special version of Happy Birthday. He enjoyed a good game of basketball with his signature “3 – point shot”. His favorite football team was the Minnesota Vikings.
He loved his family and was affectionately known by his nieces and nephews as “Sweet Daddy”. He was blessed with a love for people, good conversation and was loved by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Elder Walter Franklin and Janice Harris, sister-in-law; Ethel Franklin and brother-in-law; Joseph Jones.
He leaves to cherished memories with his siblings: William Franklin Jr. (Annuel) of Graceville, FL, Thomas Franklin of West Palm Beach, FL, Edward Franklin (Loretta), Tierra Verde, FL and Mamie L. Dawkins (Ozell) of Graceville, FL, Vernell F. Williams (Bishop Dan J.) of Bastrop, TX, Mary E. Jones of Americus, GA, Dianne Monroe (Melvin) of Marianna, FL and William Harrison of Graceville, FL; one sister–in-law: Edna Franklin of Graceville, FL and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
