Luther A. Franklin

Luther A. Franklin, 74, Jonesborough, went to be with the Lord and was reunited with his granddaughter, Emily Beth, Sunday, May 11, 2014 at the Johnson City Medical Center. Mr. Franklin was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County and a son of the late Milton Andrew and Elsie Bawgus Franklin. He retired from Eastman Chemical Company, where he worked as a maintenance mechanic. Mr. Franklin was a former elder, deacon and youth director of Harrison Christian Church and current member of Central Community Christian Church. He served as a Bible Bowl sponsor at both churches. For over thirty years, Mr. Franklin served as a volunteer and scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America, where he completed Wood Badge, the most advanced training in the Boy Scouts, and received the Silver Beaver Award, the council-level distinguished service award. He also served on district committees, organized district events (Camporees, Camporas, Klondike Derbies, and Scout Shows) and led many Eagle Board of Reviews. He enjoyed many years of hiking, camping, and canoeing while in the scouts and as long as his health allowed it. Through his enthusiasm for these activities, he passed on his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. In recent years, he enjoyed his retirement by working at Walmart assembling bicycles and organized volunteer litter clean-up events for several years through Walmart. He enjoyed researching his family genealogy '? tracing his heritage back to Benjamin Franklin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Virginia 'Ginny'? Depew and granddaughter Emily Whitson. Survivors include: his wife, Lorraine M. Franklin, of the home; two sons, Andy Franklin, Jonesborough, and Todd Franklin, and his wife Patsy, Jonesborough; three daughters, Kim Whiston, Jonesborough, Cherie F. Jones, Johnson City, and Lori Whitson, and her husband Jeff, Gray; nine grandchildren, Aaron Whiston, Blountville, Autumn Lewis, Gray; Mark Jones, Piney Flats, Tyler, Adam, Daniel, and Laura Beth Franklin, Jonesborough, and Ashley and Taylor Whitson, Gray; four great-grandchildren, Jordan Lewis, Gray, and Rowan Mills, Dairbhre Jones, and Lucy Jones, all of Piney Flats; brother, Steve Franklin, and his wife Lisa, Johnson City; brother-in-law, Ray Depew, Michigan; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.