Isaac Blagg Franklin

Isaac Blagg Franklin lived in Chambersburg for the first year of his life with his twin brother Joshua and their mother, Tamar. Throughout this year and within his early months, it became clear that Isaac, unusually advanced in his development, was precocious. He first walked at nine months, three weeks and a day. He and his identical twin spoke a babble language they only understood starting the day they discovered each other. The family could only laugh trying to figure out what they were communicating. Isaac’s smile and jovial personality endured throughout his lifetime. He entertained his doting family receiving lots of love and care from immediate (listed at the end of this obituary) and extended family members.

Isaac’s extended family include his home church community of Falling Spring Presbyterian where he was baptized by his maternal grandfather, the Reverend Dr. William Harter, supported by his maternal grandmother, the Reverend Linda Blagg Harter. His dedication spot was in front of the stained glass window of our LORD Jesus holding a lamb.

When one year old, Isaac, his twin brother and mother moved to live in Fredericksburg, Virginia. There Isaac attended daycare, pre-school and Kindergarten at Ferry Farm Baptist Church. He spent many of these formative years playing outside and entertaining himself with critters he would find during his adventurous exploits.

Into the family of three entered his adoptive father John Franklin and his three younger brothers, Levi, Joseph and Caleb. During these years, Isaac’s pioneering spirit and contagious laugh set him forth into many adventures where he discovered the treasures in his creative mind. He loved to share things with his siblings and had always been a protective older brother, especially to his sister Adriana, born thirteen years after him, who stated upon his passing, “I love Isaac very much. He taught me to be myself.”

Isaac was home-schooled by his mother from first through fourth grades. Many of his extra talents were discovered in the fields of art, writing and science. He busied himself with learning sports of nearly every kind. He was very active in Parks and Recreation playing baseball, soccer, football, basketball and lacrosse. He swam for the College Heights Swim Team, learning to swim at age four and competitively until age seventeen. He excelled at all strokes.

For Summer Swim Finals one year at the Dahlgren Pool, Isaac competed against his twin brother Joshua in the breaststroke event. They hit the touchpads at the exact millisecond and tied for first place (blue ribbon winners). Isaac earned a triple win as an eleven year old in the 50 free, 50 fly and 100 IM. During the time Isaac swam for the RAYS year-round team, he qualified for the Junior Olympics in the 50 meter breaststroke. In his free time Isaac played cards with family and explored nature with his siblings and pets.

Isaac entered Walker Grant Middle School in the fifth grade. He tested into the gifted program, but chose to focus intensely on sports rather than academics. His talents in art and music blossomed. Isaac’s art work was displayed at the School Board Office and his chorus teacher was one of his favorites. Throughout Isaac’s many successes, he remained devoted, humble, sweet and a good friend.

Isaac entered Chancellor High School in the ninth grade. He and his twin decided to achieve their Graduate Equivalent Diploma’s, GED, by the end of the tenth grade. He was ready to join the workforce at a young age, working in the restaurant business. Wherever he applied, he was accepted. He was a favorite of the servers at Sedona Tap House. His charisma and verve for success inspired his colleagues and customers. At this point he also learned the sport of parkour, where his agility was “on point”.

Isaac enjoyed writing and performing rap songs to beats he matched in his individual ‘freestyles’. He, along with his brothers and a band of friends worked on these starting in late teen years, through his twenties and up to this date. One of Isaac’s direct quotes is, “God was calling me to write and sing songs. They would have been smash hits.” Everyone knew when Isaac was in the room!

Another favorite thing Isaac involved himself in was with great debates. His family members were enamored with his philosophical discussions and quick wit, amusing his mother and astonishing others. Isaac nurtured his many talents up to the end of his earthly life. The impact Isaac made on his siblings was immeasurable and his influence unending.

At age seventeen, Isaac and Joshua left Fredericksburg for Los Angeles to pursue modeling and acting careers. They succeeded in this venue, often modeling in roles for identical twins. Together they returned to Fredericksburg when a friend back home needed Isaac. The twins were inseparable.

Soon thereafter, a traumatic event occurred where he and his twin were separated for two years. When they reunited, things were better for a while. During this point in Isaac’s life, he became the father of a lovely baby girl, now nine years old. He will forever be remembered as an attentive and doting dad, who taught his daughter about the outdoors, took her on many stroller rides and sang songs to her, such as “Three Little Birds”, by Bob Marley, a favorite. He continued to write.

After another notable traumatic event, Isaac became increasingly saddened not having regular time with his daughter. He met many challenges trying to find ways to support her. He gravitated to the outdoors where he sometimes chose to live unhoused and out in the elements. He lived in survival mode at times, but endured through challenges, remembering to write and never give up on the ones he loves.

Isaac sought assistance from Micah Ecumenical Ministries. This foundation helped him realize a vision for a better way of life and direct him towards secure housing. In the homeless community of Fredericksburg, Isaac made some of his closest friends. Despite what was happening in his life, Isaac kept in regular contact with his mother and siblings. He regularly checked in with them and made visits. He will always be called a faithful son and brother. He cared about spiritual matters.

In December this past year, Isaac chose to travel to Pennsylvania to visit the gravesite of his grandparents in Pennsylvania. Enroute he stopped to visit his brother Levi in Maryland. They spent a good couple days together before he traveled to Baltimore on December twenty-third, 2025. As a temporarily homeless man, he traversed through that city seeking work. He endured the elements of very cold nights. Isaac was found on January ninth, 2026 deceased outside a Labor Finders building. He passed away in his sleep.

Words cannot describe how much Isaac is loved and how many stories could be told about him. They would be endless. Isaac entertained every person with whom he came in contact and remained brave. A direct quote from his twin brother Joshua is this: “Isaac had the fierce independence of the lion heart.”

Though Isaac faced many challenges over the course of the past two years he always spoke of forgiveness, looked at the bright side of life and thought of his daughter. He would want people to become peacemakers. That is how he was in this world! As stated in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Thank you for reading his obituary. May God Bless You!

Isaac Blagg Franklin is preceded in death by his father, Douglas Frey.

He is survived by his parents Tamar Harter-Franklin and John Franklin; daughter, Emilina E. Blagg-Franklin; siblings, twin brother Joshua W. Franklin, Levi S. Franklin, Joseph E. Franklin, Caleb N. Franklin and Adriana S Harter-Koch.

More of Isaac’s loving family members: maternal grandparents, Bill and Linda Harter, paternal grandparents Chris Chadwich and Robert Frey and Barbara and Jesse Franklin, great-grandparents John and Ruth Blagg and Robert “Pop” and Betty Frey, great aunts and uncles, Joy and Pete Zimmerman, Suzy and Phil Edwards, Beth and Jack Hartman, Gene Harter and Rob and Carol Blagg. Immediate aunts, uncles and cousins; Aunt Sonia and Uncle Joel Patterson, Uncle John Harter and cousins Selby, Ella Clair and Christian Harter, Uncle Lee and Aunt Jodie Harter and cousin Will Harter, Uncle Nathanael and Suzy Harter, Aunt Sharon and Pete Humes and cousins Emily, Mary Grace and Libby Humes, Uncle Gene Franklin, his daughter, and Aunt Ria Price and cousin JJ Price.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Friday, January twenty-third at 1 p.m. to be held at Grace Church of Fredericksburg, 1141 Heatherstone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22407. Livestream will be on Grace Church of Fredericksburg Facebook page, Grace Church of Fredericksburg YouTube page and the Grace Church of Fredericksburg website: gcofonline.org.

Should anyone want to graciously offer monetary benefits in honor of Isaac, and in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to Micah Ecumenical Ministries (The Micah Foundation) at 1013 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Contributions can also be made online at: micahfredericksburg.org