Charlesetta Franklin

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Charlesetta Jane Franklin was born on April 20, 1951 to the late Ruben Meldon Johnson Sr. and Bertha Jane (Samuels) Johnson in DeRidder, LA. She was the baby girl of the Johnson Family! Charlesetta loved the Lord and was baptized at an early age by Rev. Wilson at Starlight Missionary Baptist Church, where she was actively involved until she left DeRidder. She was also a very active child and young adult. Charlesetta loved to play basketball where she garnered #22 on the court. She graduated from Carver High School in the Class of 1969. She continued her education at Southern Louisiana in Baton Rouge, LA earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.

In 1973 Charlie Foxx , as she was affectionately called, met the love of her life, Kenneth “Ken” Earl Franklin, Sr in Fort Polk, LA on a visit home from college. They were married on June 15, 1974 in Kileen, TX. Through this union she gained a bonus son, Kenneth “Smoke” Earl Franklin, Jr. Ken’s military career afforded them the opportunity to travel throughout the country and to Frankfurt, Germany in the early 1980s.

To this union, two daughters were born, Lucretia Jane and Kimberly Lan. Upon returning to the states in 1984, they resided in DeRidder, LA; and in 1988, the family moved to Baton Rouge, LA.

Charlesetta Jane Franklin was an active member of Greater Beech Grove Missionary Baptist Church and later joined St. Mary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA where she served on Usher Board #2. She worked as a Physical Education Teacher in Beauregard Parish in her early years and then as a Special Education and Volleyball Coach at Tara High School in East Baton Rouge Parish School Systems for over 30 years. Teaching was her passion and she touched so many lives through school and sports!

Charlesetta Jane Franklin was preceded in death by her mother Bertha Jane Johnson, father Rube Meldon Johnson Sr., sister Mattie Sue Johnson, brothers Samuel “Sammy” Eloyd Johnson, Rube “Babe” Meldon Johnson Jr., Ernest William Johnson, and Youree Verton Johnson; Mother-in-Law Lillie Bell Kirk, Father-in-Law Eligha Moore Sr., Sisters-in-law Jean Johnson, Peggy Johnson, Alinda Kirk, Brenda McCraney, Christine Kirk, Madeline Franklin, Shirley Moore, and Sandra Moore; her brothers-in-law Allen Yancy, Tommy Kirk, Billy Franklin, Dwayne Franklin, Melvin Moore, Eligha Moore Jr. and Emanuel Moore.

Charlesetta Jane Franklin leaves to cherish her beautiful memories forever: the love of her life and husband of 49 years Kenneth Earl Franklin Sr., son Kenneth Earl Franklin, Jr. (Misty), daughters Lucretia Jane Franklin and Kimberly Lan Jenkins (Dominique), grandchildren Timyah Lige, Londyn Pope, JayBrandon Franklin, Lakyn Pope, Kennetta Franklin, Zion Jenkins, Nyla Jenkins, Dominique Jenkins Jr., Kenneth Franklin III, Desean Franklin, Jonathan Franklin, Arianna Thomas (Mike), Elijah Franklin, Malaki Franklin, McKenna Franklin; her sister Jerrye V. Yancy, her sisters-in-law Carolyn Kirk, Sherryell Howard, Melody Hunter (Nathaniel), Geraldine Moore (Roy), Barbara Moore, and Maryland Moore; brothers-in-law Cortez Kirk, Myron Moore (Marsha), Vernon Moore (Barbara), and Ronald Moore;  a special family friend, Jean Nero, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Visitation will continue Friday, July 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM, also at Myers Colonial Funeral Home. Pastor Carl Davis will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Starlight Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.