Helen Sain Franklin

Helen Sain Franklin passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby, N.C., surrounded by her family. She was 96.

She was the daughter of Arthur and Dinah Clark Sain of Mill Spring, N.C., and the wife of Grady Franklin Sr., of Cliffside, N.C.  In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Alonzo Sain, Curtis Sain, Leroy Sain, Bevie Sain Hicks and Hattie Belle Sain Conner.

She is survived by 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; ten great-grandchildren, Andrea Burris, Chloe Burris, Anna Vickery, Peter Vickery, Ben Vickery, Catie Jo Vickery, Grace Vickery, Henry Green, Isabelle Green, and Brinnley Wilson.

She graduated from Mill Spring High School in 1943. Soon after, just before her 17th birthday, she married the 23-year-old soldier who would be her husband for 78 years, until his death on Jan. 27, 2023, at age 101. During their time in the military they were stationed in Tampa, Fla., Fresno, Calif., and Spokane, Wash.  When he was discharged, they returned home and began farming. Together they founded and owned Grady Franklin Company, a seed and fertilizer business. They later established G&H Farms for raising beef cattle. They were partners in every aspect of their lives and were essential to each other’s success. She managed the seed and fertilizer store, where she offered a listening ear and made many friends. She was devoted to her church where she served as an elder. She was a life-long learner who read widely and loved stories and jokes. She could be counted on to aid and abet her husband, Grady’s, story-telling. She was a wonderful cook, who followed nutrition news and made sure her family ate healthy meals. She continued to exercise and take classes at the YMCA in Boiling Springs well into her 90s. Like most of her family, she was an avid and competitive game-player.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at First Presbyterian Church, 438 West Main Street, Forest City, N.C. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in the Family Life Center at the church. Following the funeral, an interment ceremony will be held 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 arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com.

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