Louise Campbell "Polly" Franklin

Louise Campbell “Polly” Franklin passed into eternal rest Oct. 9 at age 86 due to the frailties of age. As one of her grandsons recently remarked, there wasn’t a kinder person than Grandma Polly. Throughout her life, Polly’s heart was fixed on loving, serving, and caring for her family. She was married to the late Samuel Clay Franklin Sr.; for many years, Sam and Polly made their home in Wilmington and poured their joint efforts into raising their son and daughter, Sam Jr. and Mary Lydia. Polly excelled at domestic skills, sewing dresses for her daughter and or threading merit badges onto her son’s Scout sash. She was an enthusiastic volunteer, baker, or cheerleader for their many youth sports and activities.

The Franklin family’s greatest bonding experience was a nearly six-years-long expat adventure in Luxembourg during the 1970s. Polly, a master gardener and print artist, especially enjoyed the visual art, gardens, and architectural beauty of Europe.

During her middle age, Polly returned to school, graduating in May 1991 with an art degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. After graduating, Polly continued making contemporary-style prints, watercolors, and pottery. She was equally proud of her volunteer job as a master gardener at the New Hanover County Arboretum. Polly also faithfully and cheerfully served alongside her husband, Sam, as a member of the local Power Squadron through the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

But her greatest attention went to her family. An accomplished cook, Polly created a warm home with a y’all-come-gather-round atmosphere wherever the Franklin family lived. Her holiday rituals included Easter eggs strung from the Dogwoods, baby ghosts made of Kleenex dangling from tree branches, and a fully edible Christmas village made from melted chocolate and marshmallow frosting. Her family will greatly miss her unfailing love and cheerful disposition. The Franklins were members at First Baptist Church in downtown Wilmington.

Polly was born in Summit, N.J., on Aug. 23, 1938, the daughter of Robertson Fox Campbell and Lydia Furney Campbell. She was predeceased by her husband, Samuel Clay Franklin, Sr. Survivors include Dr. Samuel C. Franklin, Jr. (Pringle) of Charleston, S.C.; Mary Franklin Baldwin (Alan) of Apex; grandsons Clay Franklin, Benton Franklin, Baker Franklin, of Charleston; Will Baldwin and Campbell Baldwin of Apex; brother Thomas Campbell, of Philadelphia, and sister Sally Campbell Gladish, of Portland, Oregon, along with three Campbell nieces and two Gladish nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington on Friday October 18 at 11:30 am. Memorials may be given to The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund (johnnymac.org).