Raymond Franklin

A celebration of the life of Raymond Alvin Franklin age 73 of Columbia, La. will be Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 2pm at the chapel of Riser and Son Funeral Home in Columbia, LA. Bro. C.R. Martin and Bro. Shane Duke will be officiating. Eugene Dunn will provide the eulogy. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 4-8pm. Graveside services will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson, La. with military honors. Raymond Franklin was born 08/03/1942 in Clarks, Louisiana and heaven received him, with his family by his side, March 14,2016 at Hartdner Medical Center in Urania, LA after a lengthy illness. He was born to the union of his parents: Leland James Franklin and Velma Lois "Cooksey" Franklin. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Damon L. Franklin and sister -in- law, Dorothy Franklin. He was a member of Grayson Baptist Church, Veteran of the United States Army, student at NLU and Secretary-Treasurer of the Caldwell Police Jury where he retired after 20 years of service. He was active in the community and local government having served as Mayor of Columbia and Alderman for the town of Columbia. He was active on several boards throughout the state of Louisiana, including President of the Police Jury Association, Vice-President and President of the La. Municipal Association. He was appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal as Executive Secretary for the office of Elderly Affairs. He was on the North Delta Regional Planning and Development Board. He was a member of the executive board of Organization of Parish Administrative Offices. He was an active volunteer for Dixie Youth baseball program for many years. He loved sports of all kinds and especially was an avid LSU fan. He loved the Lord, his family and friends and our country. He had a gentle spirit and a huge, captivating smile. He never met a stranger. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 49 years, the love of his life, Regina Kirk Franklin. His son Charles (Charlie) Franklin, his daughter Debbie Franklin Volentine and husband, Hershel and son Raymond Franklin II. Brother Wayne Franklin, and Charles "Flukie" Braddock, whom he always considered another brother. Grandchildren: Tasha Franklin Robertson and husband, Rance, Dustin Volentine and wife, Amanda, Logan Volentine, Casey Franklin. Great Grandchildren: Camryn Volentine and Nolan Volentine and another great-grandchild on the way. A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins that were very special to him. Special friends: Marita Sulin of Finland and Bianca Delfs of Germany. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Darden, Scott Meredith, Steve May, Don Burns, Edward Malcomb, Kenneth Childress, Jim McCann, and Jerry Bailey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert Collinson, Oliver Schultz, Joe Bates, Tommy Crain, Butch Darden and Iley Evans. A special thank you to Saint Francis Medical Center, Jena Rehab and Nursing Center, Hartdner Medical Center, Dr. Shroff, Dr. Chaudry and his many loving, caring sitters. One of the greatest friends that Caldwell Parish will ever know left his wheelchair that day that had him bound for so many years. He is now strolling through heaven with so many that have gone on before him. If ever there was an inspiration that "rolled" through so many lives, it was he. Even though he was seated most of the time, he stood tall in so many eyes. No one ever knew his pain or his challenges. He hid it well with a smile and kind words to others. His wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his life. His strength came from the Lord. The love he had for them kept him going. He wanted to make the world a better place. He touched so many people. His quick wit and jokes kept everyone smiling. He had a serious side to him also. He expected everyone to try as hard as he did to overcome life's obstacles. If you had nothing else, you had to find your "why" in life then dig up your "try" and keep going. His love for family and community was his " why" and he had tons of "try". He was a fighter and never a quitter. He will always be loved and missed. Even if you did not know him personally, you knew him.