- Date Of Birth: March 4, 1924
- Date Of Death: December 2, 2013
- State: California
Mr. Franklin peacefully passed away at a local hospice facility.
Viewing is Monday, December 9th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mortuary.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2013, Dewitt Franklin passed from this life at the age of eighty-nine. He was born in Athens, Louisiana on March 4, 1924. He was the eldest of twelve children born to Leonard Franklin, Sr. and Amelia Miller Franklin.
At the age of eighteen, Dewitt married the love of his life, Dorothy Walker. They were blessed with twelve beautiful children. What a wonderful family they created. In 1957, the family moved to San Diego, California. For forty years, Dewitt owned and operated the Franklin Automotive Repair and Towing.
Although his own education was limited, he strongly believed in good education and always encouraged his children to get their lessons done. One of the highlights of his life was seeing the election of President Barack Obama.
Dewitt was sometimes called “Dad”, “Daddy” “Pops”, “Big Daddy”, “Wil Soapy”, “Hobo”, “Easy Money”, “Bozo” and “Uncle”. We hope we got all the good names that everyone called him. He was a very kind and giving person. He gave encouraging words to all. He was always full of laughter and smiles and he had many witty sayings and jokes. Any time Dewitt made a statement, he could make it rhyme. He loved his family unconditionally. He always showed loved towards others. He loved music, playing cards and dominoes. Many of his children and grandchildren learned their numbers by counting the dots on the dominoes. He even showed them how to count with their toes. He loved life. He loved the simple, unpretentious and uncomplicated life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, one infant son and his daughter Patsy Franklin Nolte and ten of his siblings.
Dewitt Franklin leaves to cherish his memory ten loving children, Lucille Garrett (Louis) of Carson, CA, Attorney Mary A. Franklin and Betty J. Powell (Bernard) both of San Diego, CA, Willie J. Franklin (Pamela) of Corinth, TX, Dewanna Franklin, Gary D. Franklin (Renee), Wendolyn Franklin and Sylvia Franklin all of San Diego, CA, Beakhi Wanton of Dayton, OH and Otis Lambert Jr. of Omaha, NE; his devoted sister, Louise Lewis of Los Angeles, CA; twenty-five grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, eight great-great- great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
