Dorothy Christina Franklin

July 9, 1928

December 29, 2025

Dorothy passed away December 29, 2025 at 97 years old.

Dorothy was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and spent her early years there. She enjoyed being close to her grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She and her mother headed to California in about 1940 and settled in Mission Beach, then in National City. Dorothy attended Sweetwater High School and graduated about 1945. She met her future husband when she was a bridal attendant for a friend, and the handsome beau was the wedding photographer. They married and settled in National City, then painstakingly built their own home in Bonita, CA. Building the home was a great idea because within 8 years there were 6 children. She lived in this house until her death.

Dorothy went back to work once the youngest children were in elementary school. She worked as a Teachers Assistant in Learning Assistance classes at Valley Vista Elementary School from 1970 to 1989.

Dorothy (Dottie or Dot to some) was the consummate mother. When the kids were young, she was the “mom taxi” and was constantly on the go. Some days she would drive one child to Boy Scouts, another to swimming lessons, pick one up at a friend’s house, drop one at the grandparents, and take two to gymnastics. Then start all over again in an hour or two. True to her southern roots, she was known to the neighborhood kids as the mom who would try to feed you no matter what. She was known to heat up the Mickey Mouse waffle maker and present “mickey waffles” to anyone who wanted them. Dorothy loved a good picnic and would pack a great lunch or dinner and head out to the beach or park for an afternoon or evening meal with her family and friends.

Dorothy had other interests as well. As a teenager, she loved horseback riding and often painted horses, which were her favorite subject. She was an avid reader, often devouring up to 10 western paperbacks in a week (grabbing a spare moment to read whenever she could!). She was very creative and would lend her talents to school projects, Boy Scout/Campfire Girl events and many, many parties. Even the kids’ lunches would benefit from her creativity with a drawing or cut out string of shapes (bunny, horse, gymnast, etc.) to enjoy during school lunchtimes. She was also a creative seamstress, often making multiple outfits per child for family trips or sewing a special outfit for a school field trip.

In later years, she and technology didn’t see eye to eye. She tried using a smart phone but soon decided it was just too much. However, she loved the idea that any fact, answer, statistic, weather forcast, etc. could be pulled up on her daughter’s “Google Machine.” As she aged and people asked how she was doing, her response was always, “I’m fine, fine, fine!”. Or she would let people know her age by saying, “Well, I am 97 years old, you know.”

Dorothy is survived by 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the DAR and was proud of her lineage to someone who fought in the Revolutionary war. Dorothy was giving, kindhearted, and generous to all. Her kindness brought comfort and hope to many people in need. She also had a quiet strength, always offering support during difficult times, and was the leader of the family.

She was known as Mom, Momma, Grandma, and Grammie. Dorothy was loved dearly and will be missed by all! The family would like to thank you for your support and prayers during this difficult time. Your words of comfort & expressions of kindness are greatly appreciated.