Mary Franklin

Our wife and mother went to be with Jesus on August 2, 2015 after a short illness at Cottage in the Meadow. She was born to Uriah A. and Mary E. Russell Tefft on November 1, 1923, in Chanute, Kansas, the first of two children. Mary attended grade school and high school in Chanute, graduating from Chanute High School in 1941. She loved going back to Chanute to attend high school class reunions and attended her 60 year class reunion in 2001. She kept up with many of her classmates throughout the years. On November 1, 1941 she turned 18 and on November 2, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Marion J. (Toby) Franklin. She told everyone she would not get married until she was 18, and it happened. In 1946, after Toby returned from 2 years in the Army, they moved from Kansas to Zillah, Washington. They made their home there until 2014, when they moved to an assisted living facility in Yakima, Washington. They were blessed with six children: Rosalind Kay (Don) Schlotman, of Zillah, Sharon Franklin (died at birth), Neal Russell (Elsie) Franklin, of Waterboro, ME, Ranetta Raye (Stan) Buechler, of Zillah, Timothy Alfred (Merry) Franklin of Vancouver, WA, and Gwendolyn Faye (Carey) Hubert of Ketchikan, AK. They were then blessed with 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Mary Betty was a longtime member of the Zillah Church of The Nazarene, where she served on the church board, was missionary president, worked with the teens, sang in the choir, and played both the piano and organ for many years. She and Toby were avid supporters of the local schools and attended many basketball games (all three boys’ state championship basketball games), volleyball games, plays and music events at all levels. She was also active in the Zillah senior citizen group. Mom’s hobby was collecting bees. Her grandchildren called her Grandma “B”. Family and friends were always adding to her collection so she ended up displaying the bees in what she called her bee hive bathroom. She liked to do crossword puzzles and played many, many Solitaire games on her handheld Solitaire game. She was also an avid shopper, especially clothes, shoes, purses and the all-important jewelry. She will be remembered by many for her fiesty spirit, her quirky sayings and her ability to love all who came into her life. She is preceded in death by her parents Uriah and Mary Tefft, infant daughter Sharon, her brother Maurice Tefft, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Viewing for Mary will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah, WA from 4-7 on Monday, August 10, 2015. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 11 o’clock at the Zillah Church of the Nazarene, 203 Miles Drive. Memorials may be made to the Zillah Church of the Nazarene building fund. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.valleyhillsfh.com.I'm depending on you Lord, I'm depending on you. I'm depending on you Lord, In all that I do. I'm depending on you Lord, For all the days of my life! I'm depending on you Lord, I'm depending on you. Written by Mary Betty To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Franklin, please visit our flower store.