Willie Franklin

Reverend Willie Lee Scott Franklin, 94, of Statesville, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018. She was born in Iredell County, November 17, 1924, and was the daughter the late Hubert Lee and Gwendlyn McWhorter Scott. She was married to Clarence Franklin on February 26, 1977, he preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Alma Scott McCray, a great grandson, Geryn Purnell, a sister, Jamie Scott Jones and a brother, James Jessie “Sonny” Scott.

She attended school in Iredell County. As Rev. Franklin grew in her faith, she recognized that God had a special call on her life. Rev. Franklin acknowledged the call to ministry and served the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for approximately forty years. She served with a strong sense of dedication, determination and diligence. She completed Studies at the New York Theological Seminary in New York, New York and was licensed at Williams Institute in New York.

Rev. Franklin was ordained Deacon in 1989 at Holsey Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pa. of the New York, Washington Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. She was later ordained Elder and then she was admitted into Full Connection of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. In Statesville, North Carolina, Rev. Franklin faithfully served as a Local Elder at Holsey Memorial CME Church, where she worked diligently as an Assistant to the Pastor, visiting the sick, administering communion and conducting Bible Study. She was actively involved and totally committed on the Board of Evangelism which she had a great passion. Along with her solid faith, she had a great sense of humor. She often evoked laughter from others with her quick-witted responses and jokes. She never met a stranger and offered any support she could give to people of all ages. She received numerous certificates and plaques honoring her work at Holsey Memorial and in the Community.

He leaves to cherish the memory of her life, a son, James Allen “Butch” (Julia) Scott, Sr. of Statesville; a brother, Theo Scott of New York; two sisters, Alma Williams and Ella Mae Gray, both of Statesville; grandchildren, Daniel Purnell, Bradley (Tammy) Bennett, Andayie Scott, James Scott, Jr., Jamarr Scott, Ashanna McCray (D’Angelo) Wade, Dennis Riley and Denise Riley; great grandchildren; her caretaker, Mrs. Irma Abraham; and a host of other relatives, neighbors, church family and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, December 16, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Holsey Memorial CME Church. Burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 1:55 p.m.

Visit Mrs. Franklin’s website at rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Mortuary is serving the Franklin family.