William "Lewis" Franklin departed this life on November 17, 2022, at NHC nursing home facility.
He was born Sept. 11, 1944, in Gay, Ga. He was the head deacon at Love Fellowship Outreach Ministries where he served faithfully until his health declined. He was known to a lot of people as “Frank” and “Uncle Pen”. His smile with the deep dimples was one that lit up a room.
His passion was cooking. He worked at Morrison Cafeteria/ Piccadilly Cafeteria for 45 years. He started out as a pot washer in 1961, then Vegetable Cook, but the bosses at Morrison saw something in him and sent him to Culinary School. He became a Chief Cook for several years. Then he became the Head Chief Cook for 35 years. William worked at Rock City Garden Restaurant as the chief cook. He also worked at the Whole Note cooking for many years. During his years at Morrison’s, he taught a lot of young men how to cook and many went on to use those cooking skills. The one thing he never would tell is the secret spice ingredients in his recipes. He even had his own catering service called Frank’s Place. William did a lot of catering events around the city for many years until his health started to decline. William also served Sunday Buffet meals at Frank’s Place. His joy was always his grandkids and his great-grand kids. He would always say, “I am so glad to see my grand boys grow up to be the men they are today”. He was very proud of them. As his health declined, he would always say “I wish I could live to see my three great-grand girls grow up”, but he was so happy that Tevin, his grandson, made sure he got to spend time with them and the great grandson who he called (Vontay) was his man. He would always say “that boy is going to be somebody in this world.” Ilan was his miracle great grandson, he said, “that little fella is going to be smart in school”. He was a granddaddy to all the kids at my daycare and even right now they are grown they would ask me ‘how is granddaddy doing’.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George (Roselee) Franklin, Sr.; brothers, Richard, Charlie, and George Jr.; sisters, Shelby, Elnora, Georgia Mae, Elsie, Bobbie Jean, Louise and Arlene; wife, Phylliss Franklin; son-in-law, Calvin Moore Sr.; adopted parents, Joe and Catherine Cross.
He leaves to cherish his memory, two devoted daughters, Yolanda Moore (his baby) and Tawana (Caregiver and Boo) Franklin; adopted daughter (niece), Bellnique (Rahman) Moon; grandchildren, Calvin (Talina) Moore Jr., Tevin (Jaza) Moore and Cevin (Keeya)Moore, Charlie Moore Jr., Iakia Jackson, Relaya Jackson, Marlon Kashun Kennemore, Miranda Preston, Ciante and Robert Rashad Chaney and Lorie Walker; great grandkids, Kalvontay Moore, Brielle Moore, Jade Moore, Kennedi Moore, Ilan Moon, Felicia and Klayia Williams, Dymond Walker, Janoah and Charlie Janey Moore; sisters, Dorris Boozier Chattanooga, Rosemary Ellison, Annette Franklin and Joann Stozzier, all of Atlanta GA; sisters- in-law, Betty Gordon, Atlanta GA, Barbara Finley, Linda Williams and Blinda Frazier; brothers-in-law, Calvin Simmons (Po-Slim his partner) and Ronald (Ruby) Simmons; god son (nephew) Robert Chaney III, best friends, Pastor Robert Chaney II, Joe Brown and Ransom Evans, also his brother-in-law, adopted, sister, Thelma Chaney; sisters in Christ, Rita Turner, Pastor Fabur Smith; adopted daughter-in-law, Dalphey Moore; devoted nephews (his buddy), Wesley Hood of Atlanta, GA, and Charles Franklin Hinton, North Pole, Alaska; (his girls as he called them), Regina and Deliores Preston; devoted nieces, Wanda Collins and Carmen (Anthony) Sales; devoted great nephews, Marcus and the late Marco Collins; devoted minister, Eundra Porter; other relatives, adopted grandkids and friends. In lieu of flowers you can contribute to the Franklin Family.
Public viewing will be held at 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at John P Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995, followed by a 12:30 p.m. graveside service at Highland Memorial Gardens officiated by Minister Eundra Porter of Rock Island Baptist Church.