Dorthy Luellen Franklin

Dorthy Luellen Franklin, age 91, died August 29, 2025. Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861. Dorthy's mission began with humble beginnings. Born Dorthy Tennessee Luellen in Marshall County, MS, on August 14, 1934, she was the seventh of ten siblings to Root/Daddy Cullen, Sr. and Marie Rogers Luellen. She got her religion at Concord MB Church in Lamar, MS, and served there with her parents. As a young girl, she attended New Zion CME Church School in Moscow, TN. She graduated from Fayette County Training School. In her home life, Dorthy wasn't afraid of hard work. Along with Daddy Cullen, she plowed the fields. She pulled the corn. She picked the cotton, and busted the firewood like her brothers. As an avid horse rider, she would ride her horse, Ol' Bille, to pick up supplies and deliver messages to her family members who were miles away. Although her family were hardworking sharecroppers, Dorthy often told her family and friends that they did not consider themselves poor, often sharing resources and meals with the community. Floyd Franklin asked for Dorthy's hand in marriage. In 1951, Holly Springs, MS, they were joined together in holy matrimony. They loved being each other's "Honey." Soon after getting married, she joined New Zion CME Church with Floyd. Through their union, they grew a family of seven. With their vision, faith, and hard work, they consistently gave back to the church and community. Being that New Zion was a small church, she wore many hats. She started New Zion's first building fund in 1970. She was pivotal in growing the youth department, many times picking up children in the community to attend service and to participate in the youth choir. In her many years of service, she found her calling in mission work. In later years, she became President of the Missionary Society and Women's Chorus. During her service as a missionary, she never met a stranger. Her home was always open, a place where everyone was welcomed and cared for. She nourished others not only with food for the body but also with kindness, comfort, and wisdom for the soul. Her life was a testament to generosity, resilience, and love-values she instilled in her family and shared with all who knew her. Dorthy was the heartbeat of the Fayette County community. Along with Floyd, and through their faith in God, they became fearless foot soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement. Not only was she one of the first few black women educators at Springhill Elementary School's first Headstart Program, two of her children were the first African Americans to integrate Moscow Elementary School in 1965. She worked very hard to secure the right to vote for black people and was one of the first six that were allowed to vote from the Moscow area. The case of Franklin v. Troxel Manufacturing is among the first employment discrimination cases filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the Western District of Tennessee. In that case, Floyd and Dorthy led the charge for African-Americans to be hired at the first factory opened in Fayette County. Prior to that time, no African American had worked at the company. In the case, Floyd and Dorthy were referred to by the court as "longtime civil-rights activists". She continued her civic duty as a poll worker for many years, opening the door for black people to serve in this capacity in the Moscow area. Dorthy's mission was completed on Friday, August 29, 2025, with her immediate family by her side. She was the last living grandchild of her grandfather, Conley Luellen, who was born a slave. She leaves to carry on her legacy, her two sons, Floyd Jr. (Patricia) and Wayne (Robin); three daughters, Derba Smith, Delner Franklin-Thomas (William) and Marilyn King (Michael), a host of loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Dorthy was preceded in death by her son, Myron, and daughter Princess (Hicks), and by her brothers Cullen, Jr., Lewis, WC, John Lee, and her sisters Charlean, Betty, Onie Lee, Ophelia, and Minnie Mae. She leaves brother-in-law, Hardin Franklin (Fordie), sisters-in law, Doretha Franklin, Bobby Holcomb, Frances Jones, and Fredia Franklin.