Rose Franklin

Anchorage resident Rose LaVern Franklin, 88, died peacefully Nov. 12, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, 1100 W. 10th Ave.

Rose LaVern, affectionately known as "Nanny," was born March 6, 1921, in Electra, Texas, to John and Fanny Marsh. LaVern grew up and attended school in Electra. She met and married Claymon Davis in 1937.

They had three children: Jack, Shirley and Kathy. She lived in many communities throughout her young married life as the wife of an oilfield worker. Her husband died in 1967 and she moved to Alaska in 1968.

LaVern worked in the credit field until she retired. She was honored with a prestigious title of Anchorage's "Best Dressed Business and Professional Woman" in 1971, the same year she met and married Frank Franklin. They left Alaska in 1972 to try their hand in farming in Arkansas. By 1976, they chose to move home to Electra to be near family.

LaVern enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels, elections, AARP and her church, First Baptist. She was very active in her church and served on many committees with a special love for the benevolence committee. She was famous for always bringing the best cornbread stuffing in Texas.

Her passion was playing cards and dominos while spending quality time with her friends and family. She returned to Anchorage in 2004 after the death of her husband. She was a devoted friend, loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Franklin; siblings, Lilly Lois Henderson and Charles Kent; and her first grandson, Jesse Claymon Clontz.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Dot Davis, of Pearland, Texas; her daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Gerald Dewhurst, Kathleen and Mark Fitzgerald, of Anchorage; stepson, Randy Franklin of Kings Mountain, N.C.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene and Virginia Marsh and Johnny and Mary Lee Marsh, all of Electra. Nanny left a legacy of 10 grandchildren: Jackie Davis, Connie Davis, Cindy Deitz, Donna and husband Larry Blevins, Deidre and husband Marvin Aanonson, Maggie and husband Joe Miller, Lindsey and husband Aaron Hunter, Steven and wife Juana Strickler, Dan and wife Olga Fitzgerald, and Kara Fitzgerald; 14 great-grandchildren: Dusty, Adam, Lindsey, Donny, Carrie, Sherry, Jerri, Grant, Bart, Scott, Anna, Christopher, Demetri and Sophia; three great-great-grandchildren, Jackson, Taylor and Taryn.

Funeral arrangements are by Auld's Funeral Home in Electra. A funeral is set for Nov. 19 in Electra.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the wonderful people at Providence Palliative care at Providence Alaska Foundation, PO Box 196604, Anchorage, AK 99519.