Clancey Nell Franklin

On the peaceful Fall morning of September 24, 1933, Clancey Nell Franklin was

welcomed into the world in the rural town of Thornton, Texas. Clancey was raised by her parents

Sidney and Cora Lee Smith, where she enjoyed a childhood filled with family and love. She was

cherished by many members of her family, including her grandpa, Milton Cook, who loved

taking her on horse and buggy rides throughout the town, spoiling her with candy from the local

market. Clancey and her mischievous cousins loved spending time together in the fields, picking

succulent berries off of vines, and playing childhood games together down at the lake.

In 1945, her life changed completely when she and her family left their beautiful country

life behind to move to the great city of Los Angeles. As a child, Clancey always had a zealous

love for God and this relationship furthered when she accepted Jesus into her heart at a young

age. As a pre-teen, she discovered her passion for reading, and would often be found cuddled up

with a good book. After attending Lafayette Junior High in Los Angeles, she attended Jefferson

High School and proudly graduated in the late Spring of 1949. With her whole life ahead of her,

Clancey took a leap and decided to go to LA trade school for a certificate in Business clerical.

Throughout this time, Clancey made many friends, but one friend in particular, Doris, who lived

in the Romona Gardens in East LA, briefly introduced Clancey to her brother, George, who had

just come back from the army. A decade later, the two would reunite and begin their lifelong

partnership.

Clancey and George became inseparable, and as their love grew stronger with time, they

decided to move to West Covina together and dedicate their lives to one another through

marriage. Clancey, George, and her four kids loved their new home and were grateful to

welcome two new babies to the mix. Clancey was a devoted wife and mother who committed her

life to loving those around her. She loved baking Zucchini bread and Apple Crisps with fresh

produce from George’s garden, and neighbors and church folk would practically beg to get a

hand on her famous Pomegranate jelly and syrup. Along with baking sweets, Clancey always had

a sweet tooth and a love for shopping at her favorite stores. Clancey was an active member of

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Valinda, California under the leadership of Reverend

Howard Fuller. There, she became the director of the Sunday school and Vacation Bible school,

where she worked with fellow educators to construct the best curriculum possible for each grade

level. While her passion for young people grew, she retired from Mattel as a Quality Control

Inspector and went on to work at East San Gabriel Valley ROP, where she pursued her love of

working with children. She retired at the age of 69. When asked about her greatest joy in life,

Clancey responded, “Raising my children and spending time with my family.”

Clancey was preceded to glory by her beloved parents Cora Lee and Sidney Smith, and

her wonderful husband George Franklin. She leaves behind cherished memories with her six

children Deborah, Sydney, Dwight, Clarence, Iuenhotep, and Resheemah; two daughters-in-law,

Vicki and Sharon, nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one

great-great-grandchild. Clancey will be dearly missed by her nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong

friends, and neighbors.