Rev. Robert Lee Franklin, Jr.

Montgomery, AL-Dr. Robert Lee “Bob” Franklin, Jr., 78, of Macon, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, July 8, 2012. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 11 AM at First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama. The family will begin receiving friends at 10 AM. Burial will follow at 4 PM in the Chalkville First Baptist Church cemetery in Center Point, Alabama. On Sunday, July 22, at 3 PM, a memorial service will be held in the sanctuary of the Mid-State Baptist Association offices in Macon, Georgia, with the family receiving friends one hour before and after the service.

Bob was born in Center Point, Alabama to the late Reverend Robert Lee and Macie Franklin. He had a long and fruitful ministry serving the kingdom of God and the body of Christ. After graduating from Howard College (now Samford University) in 1956 and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1958, he served as Minister of Education at Highland Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama, Woodlawn Baptist Church and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, and First Baptist Church in Huntsville. Bob was considered one of the leading Ministers of Education in Alabama and the southeast. Next, he served at Judson College in Marion, Alabama in the areas of development, recruitment, and church relations from 1971 until 1977.

In 1977, Bob felt the call of God to become the Director of Missions for the Montgomery Baptist Association. In 1985, he went to the Noonday Baptist Association in Marietta, Georgia as their Director of Missions. In 1997, he began serving as the Director of Associational Strategy for Southern Baptist associations at the North American Mission Board.

After his retirement from the North American Mission Board in 2002, Bob became the Director of Missions for the Macon Baptist Association in Macon, Georgia. He was serving in this capacity at the time of his tragic accident in November of 2011.

Bob Franklin will be remembered as an innovative leader in the area of associational missions, mobilizing thousands to do missions. He was a catalyst for church planting, leadership development, and strategic planning. During his 35 years of service as a Director of Missions, he started over 50 churches and led over 60 mission trips. He loved God and loved people, and loved serving both. God used him throughout his life to impact others and expand the Kingdom.

Bob will be dearly missed by all those who had the joy and pleasure of knowing him. He lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger and had a smile that would light up the room. He loved his wife and family, taking great delight in his grandchildren. He was an avid collector of Native American artifacts, a hobby that he shared with his sons. He was a fascinating storyteller, sharing tales from his family history, American history, and from his many experiences on mission trips. All who knew him loved to hear the details of his latest bargains found during his Saturday morning yard sale excursions. He took great joy in not only going on mission trips, but also in getting others involved. He was a man of faith and action.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Louise Hunter Franklin, three sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren: Dr. Lee (Michelle) Franklin of Montgomery, Alabama and their children, Robert, Elizabeth, and Abby; Rev. David (Dana) Franklin of Taylorsville, Georgia and their children, Matthew (Kimberlee), Sarah, Katie, Hannah, and Joy; and Dr. John (Kathy) Franklin of Russellville, Kentucky, and their children, Daniel, Nathan, and Susanna; sisters, Faye (Jere) Allen and Ann Marchino of Birmingham; and three nieces and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bob Franklin Mission Fund, in care of the Mid-State (Macon) Baptist Association, 3396 Napier Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31204.

Friends may sign the guest book online at www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing.