HENDERSON-Helen Lassiter Franklin, age 83, a resident of 3191 Vicksboro Road, died Tuesday, November 4, 2014, in a local nursing home.Born on April 28, 1931 in Vance County, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Walter Lassiter and Estelle Edwards Lassiter, and was the widow of Samuel Thomas Franklin, Sr.Helen was active in the community and her church and for many years enjoyed working with her family at Franklin Brothers Nursery.
She was an active member of New Sandy Creek Baptist Church where she taught the Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School Class, was active in the Womens Missionary Union, and was the past Missions Development Director.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 am at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church by the Rev. Tim Burgess and the Rev. Joseph Franklin.Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
She is survived by three sons, Samuel Thomas Franklin, Jr. and wife, Sheila, Bruce Lassiter Franklin and wife, Pam of Henderson and Joseph Ray Franklin and wife, Susan of Greenville, SC; two daughters, Ruth F. Murphy and husband, David of Cumming, GA and Diana F. Minta and husband, Steve of Pawleys Island, SC; one sister, Becky L. Overby of Henderson; one brother, Tommy Lassiter of Henderson; ten grandchildren, Sherry, Thomas, Jeremy, Kelsey, Katie,Mollie, Jody, Megan, Chase, and Mackenna; and five great grandchildren, Whitt, Clara, Bailey, Riley, and Franklin.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Jon Paul Minta and Johanna Minta.
The family will receive friends Friday night from 7 until 8:30 pm at J. M. White Funeral Home. At other times they will be at the home of Sam and Sheila Franklin at 3315 Vicksboro Road.
Serving as active pall bearers will be Samuel Franklin III, Jeremy Franklin, Chase Murphy, Trent Grissom, Joshua Reeves, Seth Withers, Andrew Rice, Brian Lenahan, and DrewSchimmel.