Russell "Huck" Franklin

Russell "Huck" Franklin ,88, of Oak Hill, WV left this world to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus and join many family and friends in his eternal home on the other side on Friday, January 25, 2008 at Appalachian Regional Hospital in Beckley, WV. He was born in Kanawha County, WV on April 26, 1919, to the late John and Lillie Beckett Franklin. Mr. Franklin was a coal miner at Page and Beards Fork for 36 years, during which time he faced many hardships and injuries, including having three fingers cut off by a motor and two vertebraes in his back broken in a cave-in. Through all of this, he loved working in the mines. Huck was a proud member of the United Mine Workers of America and a great friend to many in the U.M.W.A. He loved the Lord and attended the First Church of God at Kincaid for 54 years. He was on the board of directors of Camp ChiRho and spent many years working with children in church programs. Due to his health, Huck changed churches and attended Jones Avenue First Church of God the last four years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Willa Wilson "Bill" Franklin; daughter, the Rev. Patricia Franklin of Oak Hill, son William Russell "Rusty" Franklin and his wife, Eva of Oak Hill; grandchildren, T. J. Franklin, and Meagan Jones and her husband, B. J. all of Oak Hill; Michael and Sarah Franklin of Roanoke and Matthew Franklin of Oak Hill; great-grandchildren, Emily Jones of Oak Hill, Hannah and Hunter Franklin of Roanoke, VA and Madison Franklin of Oak Hill; brothers, Ben Franklin of Aiken, SC and Roy Franklin of Alabama; and sister, Garnet Davis of Newark, DE. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM Monday at Jones Avenue First Church of God, Oak Hill, WV with the Rev. Ralph Shupe, Rev. Tonya Shupe, and Rev. Gerald Grant officiating. Burial will be in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call 6 to 8 PM Sunday evening at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.