Ernest Keith Franklin

Ernest Keith Franklin, 92, passed away at Caromont Medical Center on Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, with his family by his side.

Keith was born on June 4, 1933, on the family farm in York County, South Carolina, to the late F.O. Franklin, Sr. and Doris Penland Franklin. When Keith was in elementary school, his family moved to Bessemer City. He graduated from Bessemer City High School in 1951 where he was voted by his senior classmates as Friendliest, Best Personality, and Best All-Around.

After serving in the US Air Force, Keith met the love of his life, Frances Stewart. They married in 1956 and enjoyed 60 years together. Both Keith and Frances shared a love of travel, with the Grand Tetons, the Canadian Rockies, and Alaska among their favorite destinations. Making vacation videos was a hobby of Keith’s. His family, particularly his great-grandchildren, have enjoyed watching these videos with him, with the highlights being the grizzly bears and other wildlife. He loved taking his family to lunch and always kept Hershey candy bars at his house to give them when they visited. Other hobbies included playing golf and working in his yard with his flowers. Keith also enjoyed his time singing with the Gentlemen Songsters.

Keith worked for JP Stevens as an industrial engineer and personnel manager, and later in textile equipment sales for many years, into his mid ‘80s. Keith loved being around people. His warm smile and kindness were always present, often punctuated with a dad joke.

Keith was an active member of Antioch Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served on the church council, served as treasurer of the men’s group, and worked on the church yard ‘crew’. If the church doors were open at Antioch, be it church services or social events, he was there.

In recent weeks, Keith greatly missed his breakfast friends at Medical Center Pharmacy in Gastonia. Occasionally he would come back at lunch to enjoy some of Norma’s homemade chicken salad.

In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by his wife Frances Stewart Franklin, and six siblings: Lillian Franklin, Leona McCarter, Jim Franklin, Sue Hughes, Frank Franklin, Jr., and Josie Shuford.

Keith is survived by daughters, Alma Rhyne (Jeff), Sarah Lee Renner (Stan) and Donna Kallam (Perry); grandchildren, Mary Renner, Beth Farmer (Tyler), Jacob Rhyne (Jaclyn), and Joseph Rhyne; great-grandchildren, Davis and Anna Farmer, and Nolan and Maddie Rhyne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank everyone at Carolina Care in Cherryville for their excellent care, kindness, and compassion during Keith’s rehab stay. Thanks also to Dr. Jacob at Caromont Medical Center, to Hospice, and to all who gave excellent, compassionate care to Keith during his hospital stay.

His funeral service will be Saturday, September 13th, at 3:00 pm at Antioch Lutheran Church in Dallas, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 in the sanctuary. Prelude music will begin at 2:40 pm.

Interment will be in the Antioch Garden of Peace following the service, with military honors by the U.S. Air Force and Gaston County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Antioch Lutheran Church Garden of Peace, 330 Old NC 277 Loop Road, Dallas, NC 28034.

Sisk-Butler Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to be serving the Franklin family. To offer condolences, please visit www.siskbutler.com.