Grady Gilbert Franklin, Sr.

Grady Franklin Sr. passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at his home near Cliffside, surrounded by his family. He was 101 years young.

He was the son of Perry and Eve Franklin of Duncan's Creek, North Carolina. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Henry Franklin, Ruth Brooks, Calvin Franklin, Ruby Calton, and Tommy Franklin.

He is survived by his wife of 78 years, Helen Sain Franklin; three children, Grady Franklin Jr., Christine Franklin and her husband Dale Green and Mark Franklin and his wife Cathy Franklin; five grandchildren, Marie Franklin Burris and her husband Charles Burris, Corey Green and his wife Lisa Green; Candace Franklin Vickery and her husband Ray Vickery, Shannon Franklin Wilson and her husband Seth Wilson, and Cody Green; nine great-grandchildren, Andrea Burris, Chloe Burris, Anna Vickery, Peter Vickery, Ben Vickery, Catie Jo Vickery, Grace Vickery, Henry Green, and Isabelle Green.

He was a World War II veteran honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of sergeant. He received training in agriculture from 1947 to 1949 as part of the GI Bill. He was foremost a farmer at heart. With his wife, he founded and owned Grady Franklin Company, a seed, and fertilizer business. They later established G&H Farms for raising beef cattle. He continued to farm and to provide farm supplies and spread fertilizer and lime for his customers into his 90s. He thrived on visiting with family, friends, and neighbors and making friends with anyone he met. He was a great storyteller and he loved telling jokes and laughing every time he told them, even if they were repeats. He valued everyone he met and never met a stranger.

He was named cattleman of the year for Rutherford County, received the Woodman of the World Conservation Award twice, and was a Lifetime Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Chase High FFA. The Rutherford County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 29, 2021, Grady Franklin Day in honor of his 100th Birthday and lifetime contributions to the community.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at First Presbyterian Church, 438 West Main Street, Forest City, N.C. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the Family Life Center at the church. Following the funeral, an interment ceremony will be held for the family at Cleveland Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 181, Forest City, N.C. 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.