Erlinda Franklin

Erlinda Cordova Franklin, 82 passed away on Saturday, May 8th 2021, with her loving family surrounding her in her final moments. Erlinda was born on May 2nd, 1939 in Garcia, Colorado. She was the fifth child born to her parents, Fred and Leocadia (Lovato) Cordova.

She attended school in Garcia and Costilla Colorado. She graduated High School in 1957. She met the love of her life while a sophomore in High School. Erlinda and Henry Franklin were married August 16th 1957. They were married for 55 years. They made their home in Pueblo, Colorado, where they raised their family of four boys.

Erlinda was a full time homemaker and mother. She took great pride in caring for her family and home. Erlinda enjoyed cooking, canning and preserving fruits and vegetables during harvest season. Her pantry was stocked with all her hard work so that later she could prepare delicious meals throughout the year for her family. She was well known for her tamales, tortillas, pies, baked bread, jelly and her dill pickles. Her dill pickles and jellies always found their way home with family members whether they were given away freely or snuck out.

When her boys were small, all the neighborhood kids were gathered in her yard. It was common to fingd a gallon jar of pickles poured into a large container for their snacks. Erlinda used to laugh while remembering the boys’ friends eating a fresh tortilla smothered in butter in one hand, and the other hand sneaking a tortilla under his shirt to eat later.

Erlinda enjoyed quilting. She was an accomplished quilter and very skilled in building beautiful quilts for her family. Her quilts have become cherished family heirlooms. In all reality, Erlinda was our very own Martha Stewart. She was proud to share her knowledge that she learned while being he mother’s right hand assistant. She was a little tough to work with in the kitchen because she had her own way of doing things, and you better follow her exact orders. Her way was always the right way!

She volunteered many hours helping raise money for her church by making tamales to sell at the church festivities. Her faith carried her throughout her lifetime. She was a very devout Christian and made sure she lived through the gospel and supported her church.

Erlinda was well known for her homeopathic remedies. You named an ailment, and she had a cure! She had many of us rolling our eyes at her insistence to try her remedies and in order to humor her, we took the medicine and darn if she did not cure us! She was always willing to help families and neighbors. She just had a big heart and could not stand by, knowing she could help.

Erlinda never knew a stranger. She could be renewing her driver’s license and start a conversation with a person in line. Within minutes, she knew their life story and found out they were distantly related, or knew so and so, and was a cousin that was three times removed.

Family history was her specialty. She was the family historian. As a child she was always underfoot when the adults were having a conversation, and as a result, she knew many family members history. She later shared those stories as an adult. She was immensely proud of her family lineage dating back to the 16th century.

The family home was always open to family coming through Pueblo. Everyone knew that she would have coffee on. Dinner could be prepared for two or twenty and a bed was always available. Her hospitality was always coveted and very appreciated. We used to joke that her house was Grand Central Station. Erlinda would not have it any other way!

Erlinda was a strong disciplinarian. She passionately believed “spare the rod, spoil the child.” She raised her boys to honor their parents and elders. They learned to show respect, be well mannered, hardworking and loving. Both Erlinda and Henry played a major role in their grandchildren’s lives. As well as many nieces and nephews. They showered lots of love on the kids but, was also not shy with the discipline. As a result, there are many special moments held close to our hearts.

Family was always a priority. The last few years have taken a toll on the family. When Erlinda’s health began to decline, she was placed in the assisted living home. Our matriarch started slipping away. She was lost and would find her way back, but still a huge part was missing. What stood out the most though, was the fact that she never lost her faith and her love for Henry. Each visit she would declare “Henry is waiting for me outside” or “He is coming for me”. He finally picked her up Saturday night. While our hearts are breaking, we are rejoicing that she is back with her lifetime love after ten years apart. There was an amazing heavenly reunion.

Erlinda is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Henry Franklin, her parents Fred and Leocadia Cordova, her sisters, Estella Bessett, Antonita Arellano, Louisa Gladden, Rose Fuentes, her brother, Herbert “Fred” Cordova, her great-granddaughter, Jayleen Franklin and her daughter-in-law, Naomi Franklin.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving sons, Fred Franklin, Gilbert and Diana Franklin, Lloyd Franklin, Alonzo and Jennifer Franklin, thirteen grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, on great-great grandchild, and one on the way, her baby sister Laura (Sam) Garcia, her niece Diane Garcia that grew up with her boys, and her lifelong best friend/cousin, Neelia Salazar.

A special thank you to the staff at Sharmar Village, Kyndra Carpenter, and the staff at Care Planners