Mary Elizabeth Franklin

Mary "Elizabeth" Jones Franklin peacefully passed away on June 20th, 2023, at her home in Asbury Place, in Maryville, TN.

Elizabeth Jones married Raymond Franklin in Dandridge, Tennessee, on May 2nd, 1942. Their family grew to include five children, Anna Raye, Florence, David, Evelyn, and Shirley. They were Charter Members of Bungalow Methodist Church, where Elizabeth served with the United Methodist Women and in their children's program. Their family moved to Athens, TN, followed by Washington, D.C., where Elizabeth continued her ministry in the United Methodist Church.

They returned to Maryville in 1989, where they were charter members of Green Meadow Methodist Church. Among her other responsibilities and service, Elizabeth became the superintendent of Sunday School, served as President of the United Methodist Women, and was a Representative at the Annual Conference for many years. She handmade banners for every season and shared the responsibility of preparing the elements for communion. Elizabeth loved her church and serving with the United Methodist Women. She rarely missed a local, district, or conference event. Every year, Elizabeth has been recognized as a "Five Star Women" and received many "Special Mission" memberships pins.

The Franklins loved to travel and have been all over the country and the world. Together they bought an RV they loved and drove to visit children, friends, and family. When Raymond became ill, Elizabeth began driving the RV to her children's (and grandchildren's) many weddings, graduations, and school programs. Elizabeth loved to camp and continued to share this love with her family.

Over the years, Elizabeth used sewing, cooking, woodworking, and crafting skills to provide for her family, church, and community. She has made thousands of stuffed teddy bears, blankets, book bags, and scarves to provide for the mission needs of the United Methodist Women. Surrounded by her quilt frame, sewing machines, material, patterns, and crafting supplies, Elizabeth has loved her life and ministry at Asbury Place over the last 17 years.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Franklin, and daughter, Shirley Williams. She is survived by daughter Anna Raye Mitchell (St. Louis, MO), daughter Florence Hurst (Maryville, TN), son David Franklin (Nashville, TN), daughter Evelyn Kissinger (Berrien Springs, MI), their spouses, 25 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

A celebration to honor her life will be held on June 30th at Smith Funeral Home in Maryville, TN. The family will receive friends at 1:00pm, followed by a celebration service at 2:00pm. Elizabeth will be buried next to Raymond at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Alcoa, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Green Meadow Church.  Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com