Eleanor C. Franklin

Eleanor C. Franklin, 97, of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Arthur B. Hodges Nursing Home at Edgewood Summit Retirement Community. She was born November 2, 1917 in Lost Creek, WV, daughter of the late Luther Roscoe and Ruth Dodrill Curry. Eleanor is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Carl (Vivien) Franklin of Charleston, John Roscoe (Margaret) Franklin of Winston-Salem, NC; six grandchildren: Deborah Linzmaier, Jennifer Lee (John) Knowles, Anne-Marie (Scott) Deitsch, Jeffrey C.(Kriss) Franklin, III, Mary Ellen (Aaron) Crowder, Stephanie Tindal and partner Chris; six great grandchildren: Nicholas, Victoria, John David, Luke, Jason, and Marie; one sister, Naomi Ruth Halterman of Monterey, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Benjamin Franklin; one infant son, James William Franklin; one sister, Mary Elizabeth Venettozzi; three brothers, William H. Curry, Luther R. Curry, and David L Curry. Eleanor graduated from Lost Creek High School in 1936, Salem College in 1940 with a Bachelor Degree, and Webster College in 1970 with a Master of Science Degree. She retired after 50 years of teaching science, biology and home economics in the following States: West Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Good Hope Chapter #109 Order of the Eastern Star, and the 7th Day Baptist Church in Lost Creek; a charter member of Northcliffe Baptist Church in Spring Hill, FL. Eleanor was defined by her passion and commitment to her Christian faith, her family and friends, and teaching. Eleanor was a model for many of a "true" Christian. Her love was expressed by her compassion, generosity, humility, kindness, patience, empathy, friendliness and grace. Until her death she was the oldest member of the Lost Creek Seventh Day Baptist Church and most likely the member for the most years ever. As a student of the Bible she had deep respect for it and believed what it said. She was often observed using study guides and maps to enhance her understanding of the context as well as the meaning of the words.
She preached her beliefs by teaching Sunday school yet her most effective lesson was the way she lived her life. She critiqued her own behavior and attitudes in real time to ensure harmful conduct common to the world didn't creep into her own. Belief in the faith and faith in God allowed her to endure her struggles including multiple occurrences of cancer. Eleanor was accomplished and beloved as a wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and friend. Her rich and extensive experiences in life were inclusive and invariably shared by family and friends. Her greatest pleasure in her later years was hosting her grandchildren and, especially her great grandchildren whose visits she shared with other residents of assisted living and skilled nursing. The expectation and aftermath of their visits generated excitement and discussion for days. She maintained strong, active friendships with people all over the country for their lifetimes. Multiple generations of family and friends were enthusiastically hosted and entertained by Eleanor as they toured the country as Eleanor and Ben relocated around the country for Ben's employment. Eleanor also found time for personal interests. She was an avid reader. She grew decorative house plants, sewed, grew and preserved fruits and vegetables, painted still life, and traveled. Later in life travel included international destinations as varied as Israel, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, South Africa, Rhodesia, and Swaziland. She was an exceptional cook. And she was a proud life time member of the democratic party. It would be impossible to measure Eleanor's impact as a teacher. As an educator for over 50 years in five states the issue is the degree of immensity. Students and teachers benefited from her instruction while administrators and school systems benefited from her impact on curriculum. By delivering up-to-date course content in interesting ways Eleanor inspired and motivated students to learn, and for some to excel, to seek higher education, and most satisfying for her, to teach. And Eleanor knew what it means to excel in school. As a student in small, rural Lost Creek High School she served a year as State of West Virginia Student Council President. And active engagement in other aspects in the lives beyond the classroom for some of her students had even more profound effects. Family will receive friends at Davis Funeral Home, Rt. 98, Clarksburg/Nutter Fort, Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 3:00-7:00pm with a service by Good Hope Chapter #109, Order of Eastern Star at 7:00pm. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 1:00pm at the Seventh Day Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor John Mark Camengal officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Lost Creek Seventh Day Baptist Church, PO Box 241, Lost Creek, WV 26385. Online condolences may be sent to DavisFuneralHomeWV.com. Davis Funeral Home is honored to assist the Franklin family.

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