Margaret Pate Franklin

Funeral services for Margaret Ann (Pate) Franklin will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2014, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with burial to follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2014, at the funeral home. Mrs. Franklin passed away early Saturday, September 20, 2014, at her home. Born in Chester on August 1, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Alton Lee and Lottie White Pate. During World War II, after her graduation from Columbia High School, she married Wade Frederick Franklin, Jr. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was going through flight training. After the war ended, they returned to Columbia where she devoted her life to serving the Lord, her family and friends. A longtime member of Park Street Baptist Church, Margaret gave much of herself for others. She was attentive to any need and every detail, and she took pride in what she provided to those she loved, especially the husband she loved dearly. In turn she enjoyed the great reward of a close family who saw that she remained in the warmth and security of her home until her passing. Those who knew her will remember her appreciation of everyday joys, her caring nature and servant’s heart, always accompanied by her beautiful singing voice in the church and home. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Franklin was predeceased by her loving husband, Wade, after 68 years of marriage and her sister, Billie Lee (Pate) Eargle. Surviving are her daughters, Janis Lynn Franklin of Columbia and Margaret Lee "Peggy" Franklin of Charleston; sons, Gerald Wade "Jerry" Franklin (Terry) of Wall Township, N.J., Tracy Alton Franklin (Joanne) of Mt. Pleasant; brother, James Alton Pate (Marie) of Greenwood; grandchildren, Brennen Pugh Hutto (Paul), Brandon Pugh, Meg Donahue Halloran (Banks), Katie Franklin Daniels (Eric), Brian Franklin (Gail), Molly Franklin Nelson (Zach), Lindsay Franklin Montoney (Jeff), Page Franklin Ham (Benjamin), Will Franklin; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family also expresses deep gratitude for the love and attention provided by her caregivers, Angela, Karen, Kay, Mary, and Stephanie, as well as the expert guidance and care provided by all of the angels from Lutheran Hospice during her last days. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials in the name of Mrs. Franklin to Lutheran Hospice, 1505 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfuneralhomedutchfork.com.