BARBARA LANETA FRANKLIN

Barbara Laneta Franklin, age 80, Uniontown, Kan., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Mercy Health Center. She was born August 18, 1927, in Uniontown, the daughter of Boyce and Inez Bobbitt Keith, the second of four children. She graduated from Uniontown High School with the class of 1944, and attended Fort Scott Junior College. She taught for two years at the "Hog Holler" one-room schoolhouse west of Uniontown and one year in Hepler. She married Wilford L. Franklin on March 15, 1947, in Fort Scott. They made their home in Stark, Kan., until 1961 when they relocated to Uniontown. They had just celebrated their 57 wedding anniversary when Wilford preceded her in death on March 31, 2002.

Barbara was the first "out of school" secretary for Stark and Uniontown High Schools. She moved to the position of Clerk of the Board of Education for USD 235 at the time of unification and remained in that position for 33 years until her retirement on June 30, 1995.

Barbara was an avid quilt maker, having made over 400 in her lifetime. Many relatives and friends have been blessed with her handiwork. She won many awards for her quilts. She will be remembered as a loving woman with a wonderful memory of people, dates, and events.

Barbara is survived by her five daughters: Laveta Franklin, Topeka; Billie Jo (Alan) Drake, Fort Scott; J. Suzanne Franklin, Uniontown; Kathryn A. (Kevin) Hood, Westmoreland; and Mary Kay Pillion, Uniontown; thirteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and her sister, Theda Headley, Uniontown. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Nelson G. Keith, a sister, B. Eileen Binford, and a great grandson, Alex Drake.

Rev. Dusty Drake, grandson, will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m., Monday, June 2, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in U. S. National Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a visitation to be held Sunday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Bourbon County Meals on Wheels in her name and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of comfort may be e-mailed to condolences@cheneywitt.com.