Virginia Mae Franklin

Virginia Mae Franklin, at the age 100 years old, departed her earthly life on January 6, 2019. Virginia was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Alice Virginia Scott and the Reverend William D. Edwards, March 10, 1918. Virginia was the eldest of eight brothers and sisters; William "Nick" Edwards, Juanita "Hank" Edwards Alexander, Robert "Chub/Speedy" Edwards, Anna Edwards Meadows, James "Kitten" Edwards, Nathanial "Spot" Edwards and Dorothy Edwards Thorne. All but her youngest sister, Dorothy Edwards Thorne, now residing in Indianapolis, preceded Virginia in death. Virginia was a resident of Indianapolis Indiana. During her earlier life, she met and married George H. Smitherman, deceased. This union provided two sons, William Smitherman, now residing in Arizona and Charles Smitherman who preceded her in death. Virginia later married Theodore R. "Ted" Franklin now deceased. Together they raised sons William Smitherman (Cynthia), Gary, David (Beverly), Theodore R., Jr. (Carla) and Mark Franklin (Virginia). All but William reside in Indianapolis. Virginia was a mother figure to many of her sons' friends. She looked upon her son's male friends as "Her Boys", as well. Having no daughters, Virginia considered her sons' wives as, "the daughters she never had"! Virginia always considered her son's friends as a part of her extended family. Virginia was always an active person and was either a co-founder or head of several Women's Social Clubs. She was a Cub Scout Den mother, Volunteer at the Red Cross, Indianapolis Children's Museum and Crispus Attucks High School. Virginia was a co-founder and member of the Black Nurses Society, Indianapolis Chapter and member of several charitable and community-based organizations. In her youth, Virginia was a member of her father's church, Mt. Helm Baptist. Later in life, she became a member of First Baptist Church, North Indianapolis and was considered the ranking senior member of the church with an over 50-year membership. Virginia was a graduate of Crispus Attacks High School and was a member of the Crispus Attucks Alumni Class of 1936. She attended the University of Indianapolis, formerly Indiana Central College. With the advent of World War II, she did what many women of that time, she left college to raise her family while her husband served our country in the US Army. Virginia was a former employee at RCA (now Thompson Engineering) and Eli Lilly. Later in life, she put herself through nursing school and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Virginia was employed as a nurse in the Emergency/Recovery Room of Wishard Memorial Hospital, now known as Eskenazi Hospital. She retired from Wishard with over 25 years of meritus service. Virginia was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She played a bit of piano, loved playing bingo, enjoyed fishing and camping, but most of all, she enjoyed playing cards (Dad-a-Bella) with her brothers. Virginia was an avid taker and collector of photos of friends, family and places she traveled. Her cache of photographs numbers well over 1,000 photos covering various periods of her life. Virginia Franklin will be missed by all who loved and respected her including her sons, sister Dorothy, daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, nephews, nieces, and host of other family members and friends. GOD Bless you All!