HENDERSON-Helen Gray Ayscue Franklin, age 85, a former resident of Rock Mill Road, died Friday, January 6, 2017 in a local nursing home.Born in Vance County on August 21, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Reginald Carroll Ayscue and Irene Pearl West Ayscue Clark, and was the widow of James Elvis Franklin.
Helen was the owner and operator of the former Grandma Helens Daycare.She was a member of New Sandy Creek Baptist Church where she was a member of the Ed Blue Sunday School Class, formerly a member of the Womens Missionary Circle, Sunday School teacher of the Primary Department, Vacation Bible School Teacher, missionary in the Clothing Closet, coordinator of the shut-in Christmas basket distribution, Chairman of the Flower Committee for numerous years and Hospitality Director of the Senior Club.Mrs. Franklin was honored by the Vance County Homemaker Extension Club as Clubwoman of the Year in 1984.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00 AM at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church by the Rev. Tim Burgess. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Gale Franklin Perkinson and husband, Carl Ronald "Ronnie" Perkinson and Kathy Gray Franklin Faulkner and husband, Starling Davis Faulkner, Jr. of Henderson; four sons, James Ray Franklin and wife, Karen Pernell Franklin, Talmadge Wayne Franklin and wife, Nancy King Franklin, Donnie Lane "Peanut" Franklin, Anthony Reginald "Reggie" Franklin and wife, Marian Vaughan Franklin, all of Henderson;one brother, Edward Franklin "Billy" Ayscue and wife, Ruthie Anstead Ayscue of Henderson; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one grandson, James Kirkland "Kirk" Franklin; one brother, Russell Carroll Ayscue; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Louise Kathryn Ross Franklin and George Arthur Franklin, Sr.
The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church.
Serving as active pallbearers will be her grandsons, Andrew James Perkinson, Adam Jason Perkinson, Aaron Johnathan Perkinson, James Elvis Ray Franklin, Michael Dean Edwards, Jr., Trenton Thomas Edwards, Justin Allen Edwards, Kevin Wayne Franklin and Anthony "Tony" Ross.Serving as honorary pall bearers will be members of the Ed Blue Sunday School Class.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the New Sandy Creek Baptist Church Family Life Center, 1699Weldons Mill Road, Henderson, NC27537.The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff, nurses and doctors at Kerr Lake Nursing and Rehab Center, especially to "T.T.", Wendy, Lynn, Rhonda and Rachel for their care of Mrs. Franklin.
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