Cecil William Franklin

Cecil William Franklin, age 70, of Mansfield, Texas, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 2020, at Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, Texas. Cecil was born on January 10, 1950 in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Cecil Olin Franklin and Helen Walden Franklin. He graduated from Slater High School and before he turned eighteen, Cecil joined the Marines and proudly served his country, including a tour in Vietnam. The Marines was Cecil’s life for almost eight years until he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.  Cecil married Yvonne Simmons on June 6, 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and Yvonne had a loving and caring relationship based on mutual support and unconditional love for each other. Through the many challenges of life, their mutual love for the Lord sustained them and enabled them to overcome and build a life together. They raised five wonderful children and were married for 48 years before Cecil’s passing.  Cecil was a nature enthusiast. He enjoyed spending time outdoors because of the feeling of freedom it gave him. Spending a day afield bobber fishing on a pond liberated him from the daily stressors of life. Cecil was fond of gardening and believed nothing tasted better than something you grew with your own hands. He believed nothing settled the soul like a day spent interacting with nature. Cecil was an animal lover. He loved all kinds of animals, especially his three fur babies, Sadie, Sunshine, and little Henny Penny.  Cecil was a passionate, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, cook.  He was creative with his culinary skills and surprisingly, was always able to cook a tasty dish. He dearly loved to cook for everyone. He had an open-door policy; the more the merrier. There was not a stranger that Cecil did not know. There was nothing Cecil liked better than an interesting conversation with a good (or new) friend. Cecil could have an engaging conversation with anyone. He enjoyed life, family members and many friends. He was always there to brighten the lives of others. He was often heard saying, “Sorry about your luck!” to lovingly tease family and friends.  Cecil had a spirt and strength and drive that propelled him forward, even in the face of adversity. He always had a smile on his face and a joke on his lips. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was the practical joker of the family, always pulling pranks just to make others laugh. His indomitable spirit encouraged his family and friends to persist in the face of many struggles.  For Cecil the words from Philippians 1:21 which read, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” resonated in his soul. He loved the Lord and trusted in Jesus as his personal Savior. Cecil’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. The legacy of Cecil’s kind spirit, passion for nature, wonderful sense of humor, and zest for life will live on through them.  Memories of Cecil will be forever cherished, and he will be most ardently missed. Cecil is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gilmer Franklin and Thomas “Sonny” Houston, and infant sister, Sylvia Franklin. Fond memories of Cecil will forever be remembered and cherished by his surviving family members, wife, Yvonne Franklin of Mansfield, Texas; sons, Orlando Franklin and wife Stacy of Mansfield, Texas and Douglass Franklin and wife Aline of Laurel, Maryland; daughters, Toni Randolph and husband Bart of Lompoc, California, Aminah Masenheimer and husband Mark of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Davina Derrickson and husband Ryan of Macungie Pennsylvania; sister, Helena Hendrix-Frye and husband Larry Ross of Southern Pines, North Carolina; grandchildren, Deaven, Christian, Austin, Hailey, Makenna, Danielle, Maddison, Noah, Isaiah, Brooke, Emmerson, Cecil, Eli, Gabriel, Avery, Naomi, Leah, Sara, Samuel, Dubhe, Gilberto, and Seth-Jacob; great-grandchildren, Tenley and Elbereth; numerous nieces and nephews, precious and loved ”adopted” children Kim Little and Jennifer and Tom Hannan and a host of extended family and friends.  Memorial Services for Cecil will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements have been made under the direction of Wise Funeral Home.