Mary Ruth Franklin, 89, went to be with her heavenly father on Friday, January 4, 2019. She passed away at home. Mary Ruth was born May 30, 1929, in Greene County to the late Coy Campbell and Stella Mae Lowery Campbell Brown. Mary Ruth, a lifelong resident of Greeneville; graduated from Ottway High School, and Greeneville Business College. She retired from Hurd Lock after over thirty years of employment. Mary Ruth married Walter E. Strom in 1951, having two children. She was married to Ulis “Monk” Franklin from 1978 until his death in 2000.
She was a member of the First Church of God and had a life-long devotion to the Cub Scouts. For her many years of dedication and acting as Den Mother, she was awarded the Pioneer Award from the Sequoia Council.
She had a great love for family gatherings and genealogy. She planned and coordinated many of her family's reunions. Mary Ruth had a delightful, playful spark for young children and so enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also received so much joy from her animal companions.
She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Linda Gail & Roger Denney and Jerry & Janie Strom, both of Greeneville. She is also survived by four granddaughters: Marcotta Foushee, Amanda Kilday (Miles), Selena DeLibro and Jessie Vinson (Josh); and six great-grandchildren: Kaleb Hauck, Joshua Bernotas, Zachary Denney, Ian Kilday, Gray Kilday, and Gabriel DeLibro.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was proceeded in death by her two brothers, Raymond and Ray Campbell.
Funeral Arrangements are with Kiser-Rose Hill with visitation on Sunday, January 6th from 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm with service following. Interment will be at 11 am at Oak Grove Cemetery on Monday, January 7th.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Harrison, Mark Hatcher, Miles Kilday, Joshua Vinson, Randy Walton, and son, Jerry Strom. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thank you to Amedisys Hospice for their care.
