Alma Franklin

Mrs. Alma Franklin, 79, of Drexel, died Sunday, March 1, 2009, at Hospice and Palliative of Catawba County, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Franklin was born June 25, 1929, in Richmond, Va., to the late William and Crettie Elizabeth Huskey Pritchard. She retired from Drexel Primary School and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Surviving are her daughters, Martha Davis of Hickory, Sharon Williams and her husband, Carl, of Valdese, Vicky Hurley and her husband, Mark, of Hickory, Connie Roper and her husband, Dennis, of Morganton, Karen Hammons of Morganton; a son, Robert Brian Franklin and his wife, Roxanne, of Taylorsville; a brother, Willard Pritchard of Lenoir; three sisters, Ester Lewis of Lenoir and Cora Barrier and Wilma Whisnant, both of Morganton; her grandchildren, Tina Ann Taylor, Karla Stephens, Chad Williams, Zachary and Brittany Franklin, Jesse and Josh Maltba, Nicholas and Nathan Lowman; and her great-grandchildren, Emily and Sara Stephens, Chase Cannon and Hailey and Olivia Maltba. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Tom Franklin; three brothers, John, Millard and Elmer Pritchard; an infant sister; two half-brothers, Charlie and Elbert Pritchard; and two half-sisters, Elsie Williams and Bertie Huskey. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese, with the Rev. Mark Dolphens officiating. Interment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family. Condolences at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.