Obituaries
Obituary for Verlean B. Franklin
Verlean B. Franklin, 80, died July 13, 2018.
Verlean Brunetta Wilson was born January 3, 1938, to the late LeRoy Wilson, Sr. and the late Rebecca Moore Wilson. She transitioned to her Heavenly Home on July 13, 2018. (This date coincides with her daughter’s, “Vita Faye”, birthday)
Verlean was born at home on Baltimore Street, and raised in the Beltline Community. She attended Melrose Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools; she graduated class of 1956.
Verlean accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, as a member of Mt. Pleasant Church. She was later one of the founding members of Greater Hope Baptist Church under the late Reverend L.C. Moore. In later years, as Greater Hope continued to thrive under Dr. Dannie D. Holmes, she was a tireless worker in the church. She served as a former secretary of the Number One Usher Board, Choir Member, Mother board, and an active member of the Willing Workers organization. Also, she was the record holder of Ms. Tennessee for six years in a row! She loved her church home and family, especially her Women’s Sunday school class, attending services faithfully until she fell ill.
Verlean was joined in holy matrimony to the late Willie James Franklin, Sr. on October 13, 1960. To this union, Willie James Franklin, Jr. “Butch” was born; the youngest brother of Ronald, Gregory, and LaVita.
Verlean began her career in custodial services at Memphis State University on October 1, 1974 in the Engineering &Technology Department in Herff College of Engineering. During her years of service, she impacted students, co-workers, and professors alike. The pride she exemplified in her work garnered her accolades of Employee of the Year and the Outstanding Support Staff Award. She retired in September 2005, after receiving recognition of 30 years of service to the University of Memphis.
Verlean was preceded in death by her father LeRoy Wilson, Sr.; mother, Rebecca Wilson; sisters, Martha Ann Wilson, Mary Louise Taylor “May Lou”; brothers Albert Wilson and LeRoy Wilson, Jr.; sons Ronald Wilson and Willie James Franklin, Jr., and daughter LaVita Chandler.
Verlean leaves to cherish her memory her son Gregory Wilson; brother Oscar Wilson; sister LaFrancina Sails (Vertis); sister-in-law Mildred Wilson; son-in-law Vincent Chandler; nephew, Vertis Sails, III; nieces Francesca Sails, Charmaine Wilson, Annita Sawyer-Hamilton (Homer); great-nephew Myles Sails; grandchildren, Shaquorya Chandler, Minishia Chandler, Archelaus Chatman (Jeremy), Armando Franklin, Keosha Shields, Corry Shields, Joshua Taylor, Mikayla Wilson; great-grandchildren Amari Chatman, Ma’Laiya Chatman, A’Kiylah Chatman, Machi Chatman, Amir Franklin, Chanel Franklin, Addyson Franklin, Ayden Franklin, Savanna Franklin, Aniyah Shields, Rickiyah Dumas, Kerion Dumas, Caliyah Shields, and Callee Manns; Special cousin Rhonda Jenkins; Special friends Katrina Walker, Earlene Goodwin, Alma Pettis, Michael Warren; Faithful neighbor Alice Burrow, and a host of cousins, extended family, co-workers, church family, and friends.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
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Verlean Brunetta Wilson was born January 3, 1938, to the late LeRoy Wilson, Sr. and the late Rebecca Moore Wilson. She transitioned to her Heavenly Home on July 13, 2018. (This date coincides with her daughter’s, “Vita Faye”, birthday)
Verlean was born at home on Baltimore Street, and raised in the Beltline Community. She attended Melrose Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools; she graduated class of 1956.
Verlean accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, as a member of Mt. Pleasant Church. She was later one of the founding members of Greater Hope Baptist Church under the late Reverend L.C. Moore. In later years, as Greater Hope continued to thrive under Dr. Dannie D. Holmes, she was a tireless worker in the church. She served as a former secretary of the Number One Usher Board, Choir Member, Mother board, and an active member of the Willing Workers organization. Also, she was the record holder of Ms. Tennessee for six years in a row! She loved her church home and family, especially her Women’s Sunday school class, attending services faithfully until she fell ill.
Verlean was joined in holy matrimony to the late Willie James Franklin, Sr. on October 13, 1960. To this union, Willie James Franklin, Jr. “Butch” was born; the youngest brother of Ronald, Gregory, and LaVita.
Verlean began her career in custodial services at Memphis State University on October 1, 1974 in the Engineering &Technology Department in Herff College of Engineering. During her years of service, she impacted students, co-workers, and professors alike. The pride she exemplified in her work garnered her accolades of Employee of the Year and the Outstanding Support Staff Award. She retired in September 2005, after receiving recognition of 30 years of service to the University of Memphis.
Verlean was preceded in death by her father LeRoy Wilson, Sr.; mother, Rebecca Wilson; sisters, Martha Ann Wilson, Mary Louise Taylor “May Lou”; brothers Albert Wilson and LeRoy Wilson, Jr.; sons Ronald Wilson and Willie James Franklin, Jr., and daughter LaVita Chandler.
Verlean leaves to cherish her memory her son Gregory Wilson; brother Oscar Wilson; sister LaFrancina Sails (Vertis); sister-in-law Mildred Wilson; son-in-law Vincent Chandler; nephew, Vertis Sails, III; nieces Francesca Sails, Charmaine Wilson, Annita Sawyer-Hamilton (Homer); great-nephew Myles Sails; grandchildren, Shaquorya Chandler, Minishia Chandler, Archelaus Chatman (Jeremy), Armando Franklin, Keosha Shields, Corry Shields, Joshua Taylor, Mikayla Wilson; great-grandchildren Amari Chatman, Ma’Laiya Chatman, A’Kiylah Chatman, Machi Chatman, Amir Franklin, Chanel Franklin, Addyson Franklin, Ayden Franklin, Savanna Franklin, Aniyah Shields, Rickiyah Dumas, Kerion Dumas, Caliyah Shields, and Callee Manns; Special cousin Rhonda Jenkins; Special friends Katrina Walker, Earlene Goodwin, Alma Pettis, Michael Warren; Faithful neighbor Alice Burrow, and a host of cousins, extended family, co-workers, church family, and friends.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
27
Jul
5:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Greater Hope Baptist Church
2660 Spottswood Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
Service
Saturday
28
Jul
11:00 AM
Greater Hope Baptist Church
2660 Spottswood Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
Cemetery Details
Location
Memphis Memory Gardens
6444 Raleigh Lagrange Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
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