Dollie Mae Lewis Franklin

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ms. Dollie Mae Lewis Franklin.
Ms. Dollie Mae Lewis Franklin, a retired educator and child of God, passed away at the age of 84, on Monday, July 14, 2025. Ms. Franklin was born December 24, 1940 to the late Stella Mae Lewis and the late Thomas Jefferson Williams in Wakulla County. She graduated from the original (old) Lincoln High School in 1960, with honors. She was member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee.
Ms. Franklin also graduated from FAMU, College of Arts and Sciences, with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Welfare, later earning her Master's in Education (M.Ed.) in Guidance and Counseling. In 1972, she completed her studies at FSU with a second master's-a Master's in Social Work (MSW), focusing on counseling.
She was selected and inducted into of the Delta Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated. Ms. Franklin fostered continuing education for family demonstrated the importance of leading a Christ-driven life.
Ms. Franklin retired from the Florida Department of Labor-now, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), holding various positions, including serving in the capacity as Operations Management Consultant, Labor Employment Trainer, and Counseling Manager for the state of Florida.
Dollie leaves behind to cherish the memories of her love, support, and devotion, one daughter, Dr. Yolanda J. Franklin of Navaho Nation, Arizona; one son, Oscar V. Franklin of Belcamp, MD; a devoted grandson, Jeffrey K. McLendon, II of Ft. Worth, TX; a loving granddaughter, Brittany R. McLendon of Tulsa, OK; a devoted sister, Martha J. Bruce; a dedicated brother, Michael A. James (Sheila); brothers, Wilbur James (Sondra) of Los Angelas, CA; and Judge Mckinzie; sisters, Joetta McMillan of Melbourne; and Linda Robinson of Tampa; an uncle, WWII Veteran Joseph Williams; a devoted cousin, Virginia M. Herring (Morris) and her family, Wilbert Watkins, Gregory Herring, Kiwanis Dickey, Angela Herring-Hilliard; niece and grandnephew, Lauren M. James and London McGuire, respectively; a bonus son, Georgios Antonopoulos of Belcamp, MD/Hanover, Germany; a bonus daughter, LaEsha Jones of Houston, TX; a very close, lifetime friend and confidant, Dr. Jessie D. Pottsdamer of Atlanta, GA and her children Gina and Vinita Pottsdamer; and host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 25, 2025 at Bethel M.B. Church. AKA's Ivy Beyond the Wall Service will be 6:00 P.M. Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Strong & Jones Chapel.
On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Ms. Dollie Mae Lewis Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the FAMU Foundation, 625 E. Tennessee St. # STE 100, Tallahassee, FL. 32308 (850) 412-5755.