Mrs. Lorine Franklin

FRANKLIN, Mrs. Lorine - Age 89, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Heaven of Rest, Owosso, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, May 31, 2025, at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, G-3415 E. Hill Rd., Grand Blanc, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:00 AM Saturday. Mrs. Franklin will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, May 30, 2025. Lorine Harmon Franklin was born September 28, 1935 in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. She was the fifth child born to Tommy Harmon and Robbie White Harmon. Loraine began her education at Holeman Elementary School in Wabbaseka, Ark. Subsequently she graduated from Merrill High School located in Pine Bluff, Ark in 1956. Lorine moved to Flint, Michigan in 1958 to join her high school sweetheart, Joe L. Franklin. They married January 20, 1958. From this union, three sons were born: Richard (Ricky), Michael and Kenneth. Later a daughter joined the family, Renee Harmon. Lorine was the woman behind the great Joe L. Franklin. Her steady hand at home allowed Joe to build his community legacy. Together they formed the ideal family team. Lorine enjoyed traveling in their motor home with Joe at the wheel. Their travels included the Kentucky Derby, the Disney Complexes and their annual trip to Indianapolis 500. However, the vacation she valued most was her visit to the Holy Land in Israel. This trip allowed her to connect with the religious sights and places she studied in the Bible. Lorine was also known for her outstanding sewing skills. She was an extraordinary seamstress who specialized in women’s formal and casual attire. Lorine used her creative talent to make various dolls which included the cabbage patch doll. She even made Joe one of his favorite suits. The family loved her butter rolls and other delicious treats she would prepare. Lorine only worked outside of the home for five years. From 1976-1981, she was an employee of General Motors Corporation. Finding her job less than rewarding, she returned to her favorite role as chief homemaker of the Franklin Clan. Lorine was an avid bid whist player. She and Joe enjoyed card parties and fellowship with their friends. Lorine was a mainstay of the Kennedy Estates Block Club and a member of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Lorine Harmon Franklin, the matriarch of the Franklin family, departed this life on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Her passing was particularly devastating because the patriarch, Joe L. Franklin transitioned one week earlier on May 15, 2025. Lorine was preceded in death by her sisters Ruby Daniels, Elouise Milton, Doris Harmon and brothers, Raymond Harmon and James Hubbard. Lorine Harmon Franklin is survived by: sons, Richard “Ricky” (Janice) (Lake Spivey, GA), Michael (Charlotte NC.), Kenneth (Trina) (Farmington Hills, MI) and daughter Renee Harmon (Stuttgart AR); grandchildren, Deandre (Newberry, FL), Rikketta (Edgemoor, SC), Jovan (Burton, MI), Kenneth Jr. (Farmington Hills, MI) and great-grandson Elijah (Newberry, FL). Lorine had a special relationship with her nieces, Connie Kyle, Pat Williams, and Lavern Harmon (recently deceased), Debra Hubbard, Debra Milton, Cathy Harmon, and Regina Harmon. She will also be missed by special friends: Bernice Westrock, Shirley Sanders, Inez Taylor and Odessa Dotson along with a host of friends and relatives. Services can be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/eEbkHzrO6Nk?si=03h-P1foWN_lK9Yp

Mrs. Lorine Franklin

October 28, 1935 - May 22, 2025