Dorsey D. Franklin

Dorsey Daniel Franklin was born on May 16, 1936 in Moscow, Tennessee, to his parents, Mr. Kelsey Franklin and Mrs. Elisabeth Dorse Franklin. He began his faith journey at Berry’s Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and was later baptized in the Catholic faith at Saint John’s Catholic Church. Subsequently, he became a member of Saint Augustine Catholic Church.

He earned his high school diploma from Fayette County Training School and completed his undergraduate studies at Tennessee State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts Education. After graduating from Tennessee State University, Dorsey served in the United States Army. While stationed at Fort Rucker in Enterprise, Alabama, he met his soon-to-be wife, Jo Ann Williams of Samson, Alabama. They married on July 30, 1962.

He later attained his Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling from Tennessee State University and graduated from the Mid-South School of Banking at Memphis State University – now University of Memphis.

Dorsey began his professional career with Shelby County Schools, where he taught mechanical drawing and general shop at Mithcell Road High School and served as a guidance counselor at Mt. Pisgah High School and Collierville High School.

After teaching for many years, he decided to change course. Determined to maximize his gift for counseling and career placement advisement, he decided to accept an offer of employment from then-National Bank of Commerce (NBC) – a regional predecessor to Truist. While at NBC, he shaped its personnel recruitment, hiring, and promotion practices which lead to the hiring and advancement of minorities and women at the bank. As the Equal Employment Opportunity/Employment manager, Dorsey represented NBC at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. He concluded his career at NBC as the Vice President of the Operations Division where he, among other things, impacted NBC’s contracting practices and increased the contracts awarded to minorities and women. During his tenure at NBC, he served as President of the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. Dorsey retired after over 20 years of employment at NBC.

Dorsey enjoyed laughing and making people laugh. If you were in a room with him, you were sure to smile. His allegiance to his alma mater, TSU, was unmatched. He served as Treasurer for the Memphis-Shelby County Chapter of the Tennessee State University Alumni Association. To assist his community, Dorsey also served as the Treasurer for the Bluebird Park Estates Neighborhood Association and served as a member of the Memphis Light Gas and Water Advisory Council. He also helped the community as a Connecting Link with the Shelby County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. In addition, Dorsey supported the Memphis Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In his spare time, he enjoyed competition in card games and dominoes. His most passionate pastime, however, was playing golf! He loved navigating 18 holes of golf and played as often as the weather permitted. He participated in many golf tournaments, including the James Lyke Golf Tournament and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Golf Tournament. This joy, however, was easily eclipsed by his love and commitment to his family.

Dorsey leaves to cherish his memory and embrace his legacy: his loving wife of 62 years, Jo Ann; two children, Kevin Darnell Franklin of Memphis, Tennessee and Karen Franklin Johnson (Joseph) of Alexandria, Virginia; two grandchildren, Kelsey J. Johnson and Benjamin J. Johnson, and three sisters-in-love, one brother-in-love, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family and friends. Dorsey was preceded in death by his devoted parents, Kelsey and Elizabeth Franklin, and his dear brother, Marshall K. Franklin.

The family of Dorsey D. Franklin appreciates your love and support during this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Saint Augustine Catholic Church at 1169 Kerr Avenue Memphis, TN 38106 (901-774-2297) or Madonna Learning Center at 7007 Poplar Avenue Germantown, TN 38138 (901-752-5767) at

https://www.madonna-learning.org/support-madonna.