Meredith Raye Franklin

Meredith Raye Franklin, 85, of Paragould, departed this life on Sunday, January 30, 2022, in Jonesboro. She was born in Wilmot, Arkansas on August 24, 1936, to Edward Jackson (EJ) Pennington and Maude Moss Pennington.

She attended Cave City High School. During her working years she spent several years at Green County Tech as a cook for the school.   She also worked in the Coffee Shop in Sears in Jonesboro.  She was a member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully for over forty years.

Raye, as she was lovingly known, loved her family very much and they loved her dearly. She was also a wonderful friend to many and loved for people to visit. Anytime you would visit her there would always be laughter and lots of food. She loved the Lord and will be remembered for her kind and sweet spirit.  She loved to cook, read, and play games.  Some of the family would say “she might cheat occasionally on those games”

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Keith (Cindy) Watkins, of Paragould, Gwen (Greg) Webb, of McKinney, Texas, Chris (Kim) Watkins, of Sidney, Dana Jones, of Paragould; step-children, Bob (Cheryl) Franklin, of Clarksville, Sharon (Dan) Phillips, of Jonesboro; daughter in law, Jeannie Watkins, of Cave City; grandchildren, Courtney, Casey, Patrick, Marie, Derek, Colton, Savannah, Kyler, Kaden, and Spencer; step-grandchildren, Mallory, Matthew, Micah, Halle; eleven great grandchildren; sister, Loyce Vause; and brother, Terry Pennington, both of Florida; other extended family from Louisiana, several nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Franklin, her parents, brother, Tommy Pennington, and son, Douglas Watkins.

A Funeral Service will be Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 1240 CC Road 995, Lake City, Arkansas. with Bro. Joel McMasters officiating. 

Burial will be Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Pine Log Cemetery in Brookland with Bro. Boyce Cate officiating.

A visitation will be Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church.

Pallbearers will be Derek Watkins, Colton Watkins, Patrick Webb, Kyler Brinkley, Spencer Jones, and Mitchell Vause.