Margaret K. Franklin

Margaret Kirkman Franklin was born August 17, 1934 in Charlotte, NC. She passed away peacefully on March 6, 2016, after a determined effort to overcome ovarian cancer. She faced cancer with the same faith, resolve, and dignity that was a testament to how she lived life every day. Her deep and abundant love for her family was evident to everyone who knew her. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Tom Franklin, for 61 years. They were engaged on her graduation day from Stephens College in St. Louis, MO. Margaret was a proud graduate of Central High School, member of First Presbyterian, Covenant Presbyterian, and later, Myers Park Baptist Church. Her parents, Homer and Sadie Kirkman, were well known as managers of The Dogwood Room restaurant at Charlotte Douglas airport and catered the meals for Piedmont Airlines. She shared memories of filling the mini saltshakers that would travel the skies on board the DC-3 airplanes. She later worked as a city ticket agent for Piedmont at the old Hotel Charlotte.

The center of Margaret’s life was her children. Always with her family, she enjoyed the beaches and mountains of the Carolinas where they often camped. Together they enjoyed traveling with the pop-up camper from Florida to Canada. After years of camping at Outrigger Harbor on Lake Norman, the family moved permanently to the lake they had grown to love so much. As the children grew up, she went back to school and earned a Medical Assistant Certificate. She worked for Doctors Downs, Louis, and Hollingsworth and Mecklenburg Medical Group. People in North Mecklenburg remember her as the friendly nurse and receptionist at Lake Norman Optical.

As the family grew, Margaret delighted in her role as grandmother. She and Tom spent time taking the grandkids on adventures to places like the Nature Museum and the Spencer Train Museum.

Their lake house became the center of family boating and swimming activities, Camp Nana, and the gathering spot for holidays, which were so important to Margaret. Her favorite time of year was Christmas, when she could shower the grandchildren with love and gifts. She hardly sat down at the holidays, excited to have everyone together, and making sure that all the guests were taken care of first.

For over twenty-five years on Christmas Eve, Margaret enjoyed attending the Moravian Love Feast at the Little Church on the Lane. She was truly in her element, singing carols in the balcony with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her many volunteer activities included tutoring children in CMS schools, delivering Friendship Trays, and working in congregational care for Myers Park Baptist. After retiring, she and Tom moved back to Charlotte to be close to their family and church. They were daily visitors to The Cornwell Center, where they enjoyed walking and socializing with the staff and other members.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Homer Kirkman; and her granddaughter, Anna Estelle Burkhead. She is survived by her husband, Tom Franklin; her children, Hope Franklin Vitale and husband Alex Vitale, Tommy Franklin and wife Mary Franklin, Randy Franklin and wife Cheri Franklin, and Scott Franklin and wife Miriam Franklin; her grandchildren, Justin Burkhead, Rhyne Franklin, Kate Caton, Brandi Clark, Randall Franklin, Eliana Franklin, and Carissa Franklin; and great-grandchildren, Xander Burkhead, Damien Burkhead, Miles Clark, and Adriana Franklin.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 11th, at Myers Park Baptist Church. The family will receive friends in Heaton Hall following the service.