Everett Allen Franklin, Sr.

Everett, the second eldest of 5 children, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Clinton and Ann Franklin. Everett, graduated from St. Leo’s High school and was a member of the St. Leo’s Swim Team. After high school, he met and married his wife of over 58 years, Essie Marie (Jones) Franklin. While living in Detroit, Everett and Marie, purchased their home in 1968, where they raised the family. Everett worked at Ford Motor Company Dearborn Engine Plant, in Dearborn, Michigan until retirement in 1999. In addition to working at Ford Motor Company, Everett and Essie Marie were foster parents for over 25 years. Everett and Essie received Foster Parents of the Year Award by the State of Michigan in 1972, and Everett served as the first African American to serve as board member of Catholic Social Services Agency. Catholic Social Services Agency’s mission was to provide housing and adoption services for foster children within Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties in Michigan. Everett and Essie Marie fostered over 200 children throughout 25 years of being foster parents. Everett opened his home as an emergency placement home, when foster children were in need of an immediate place to stay. Everett, was the former President of his neighborhood block club. While President, he organized neighborhood picnics and other neighborhood activities, such as hosting “meet and greets” at their home for local political candidates in Detroit-including former Mayor of Detroit, the late Coleman A. Young.

Everett and Essie Marie moved to Florida five years ago to enjoy retirement. In his spare time, Everett enjoyed repairing cars, watching sports on tv and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Essie Marie Franklin, his three sons, Everett Franklin Jr. Keith Franklin and spouse (Rhonda) and Antoine Franklin (deceased), his daughters Tanya Franklin-Costa and spouse (Mario), Kesha Franklin and Julie Sosa. He also leaves his sister Judith Crite and spouse (James), Cedric Franklin and spouse (Gail); brother Gerard Franklin (deceased) and Ronald Franklin (deceased) and spouse Doyleen (deceased); grand-children Eric Franklin, Anthony Franklin, Rashard Franklin, Ebony Lynn Mullen, Keith Franklin Jr., Kyle Franklin, Tatiana Tolbert Franklin, Zakiya Pauling, Tijule Sosa-Drake, Marquise Walker, Dustin Costa and wife (Amanda) and great-grand daughter Amaya Rose Tolbert, and a whole host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A visitation gathering for Everett will be held Friday, August 26, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida, followed by a memorial gathering at 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Franklin family.