Regina Franklin

Regina Franklin, 82, was reunited with loved ones in heaven on July 10, 2023.
Celebration of Life: 11:00am Monday, July 17, 2023 at Brown, Owen & Brumley's Funeral Home, 425 S. Henderson Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104.
Visitation: 9:00am before the funeral service. 
Interment: Regina will be laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2301 N. Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76111.

Regina Franklin was born on Thursday, February 20, 1941 in Hayworth, OK, to Joel (Jack) Miller and Imogene Simmons. She spent much of her young childho od in Idabel, Oklahoma and Annona, Texas and a short time in Los Angeles, California. She moved to Fort Worth, Texas with her family in the 1950s. She lived in Lake Worth, North Side and South Side Fort Worth throughout her teen and young adult years. Ridglea North became her home when she married Kenneth Franklin on March 26, 1969.
God, family and music were Regina's ticket to a happy and fulfilled life. She dedicated her life to the Lord at Loving Avenue Baptist Church when she was 11 years old. She could be found every morning and night with her Bible studying and internalizing God's Word. Mark 16:15 says to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." She took this to heart and made it her mission to share the plan of salvation to everyone she met. She truly showed unconditional love for not only her family, but for all people and animals alike. She was quick to forgive, slow to anger and sacrificed much in order to ensure others' needs and wants were met before her own. She was in continuous prayer for her family's salvation, safety, love, health and happiness. She instilled Grace and wisdom ìn her children, teaching them to be friendly to everyone, but to choose their friends wisely. Her grandchildren were her world and she was delighted to cater to their every beckoning call. Her motto was 'What happens at Grand-Mo's, stays at Grand-Mo's.' Their home was home to more than just their immediate family. It was home to extended family, friends, and countless pets. Whoever needed a place to stay, their door was open without question. Their home felt like a hug, peaceful and safe. Family and friends have shared stories about how their childhood and lives in general would not have been the same without Regina's influence. Music was Regina's heartbeat. She began performing at a young age showcasing her sweet vocals at venues in Dallas and Fort Worth including the Cowtown Hoedown, All-Star Country Roadshow and Big D Jamboree. She shared stages with artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash and personally knew the songwriters of many old time favorites like "You Are My Sunshine" and "Crying In The Chapel" which was actually written about the church where she was saved. She also had her own weekly radio program for six years on KCUL. Regina turned down a record deal from RCA Victor as well as Willie Nelson's request to go on tour since she wouldn't be allowed to sing gospel songs. Even in the midst of promises of fame and fortune, she held to God's promises instead. She knew to "lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" Matthew 6:19-21. She continued to sing at church, weddings, funerals, nursing homes, and various events throughout the years refusing payment in return. Her voice was a gift from God and her gift to the world. Certainly the treasures that awaited her in Heaven grossly outshine any material treasure this world could offer. 
Regina also enjoyed reading and watching mysteries, working jigsaw puzzles, word searches and walking her dog. Her love of chocolate, chili, Braum's banana splits and hot fudge Sundaes were her guilty pleasures, but would make sure to walk it all off after indulging. 
Regina graduated from Trimble Tech High School in 1959 with training in dental assistance and later went on to earn her Child Development Certification from Tarrant County College. Her work experience included being a dental assistant, a teller at Fort Worth National Bank, clerical work and sales at Mitchell's Department Store, teaching Pre-K at Calvary Academy and Western Hills Baptist Church, daycare director with Clayton Childcare and a licensed insurance agent at The J. Daniel Company/Affordable Life Insurance.
Regina met Kenneth at the old First Baptist Church of Fort Worth. He shared her adoration of Christ and valued family and music as much as she did. Their relationship was the epitome of a Christ-centered marriage. The Bible teaches us in Romans 12 to "be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality" and that is exactly what their marriage was. It was literally a match made in Heaven. One can only imagine the reunion they are having singing praises to God with each other and their loved ones with angels playing the most glorious of music. 

Regina was preceded in death by her parents, Joel (Jack) Miller, Imogene Walker, and step-father, Jesse Walker; her grandmother, Dutch Simmons; her siblings, Tim Walker and Jackie Miller; her mother-in-law, Susie Franklin; and her nephew, Brandon Hayes. 

Regina is survived by her children, Brian Franklin, Chad Franklin and wife Natasha, Lolly Garcia and husband Ruben; grandchildren, Madelyn, Gavin and Luke Franklin, Ruben Jr., Daniel and Perla Garcia; siblings, Glenda Rupert and husband Rip, Kim Walker, Donna Kirby and husband Will, Renee Walker, Carla Walley and husband Windle, and Jesse Walker; several nieces, nephews and cousins; life-long best friend, Elaine Russell; and furbaby, Bleu Dog.