Carolyn Beverly Franklin

She was born in Columbus County, NC, on August 10, 1943, the 6th child and daughter of the late Nora Bessie (Norris) Carter and Emory Lee Carter.

Beverly lived in Chadbourn and the surrounding Whiteville area for many years before her parents moved to a lakefront home on Lake Waccamaw. She attended and graduated from Hallsboro High School where she was a cheerleader and voted “Most Original” by her classmates. Many of the friendships formed during this time were enduring, including that with Mary Lou (Gilliland) Helm, a life-long friend and frequent companion for all manner of mischief.

After graduating from high school, Beverly made the move to Wilmington, NC and attended Miller Motte business school. There she met an accounting teacher who, following their enduring marriage, accumulated and shared the numbers of her life, which included the addition of their three children.

Beverly worked at General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) handling car financing transactions and dealer customer service for over 28 years. After retiring from her career with GMAC, the ever-energized Beverly continued working part-time with Coastal Sewing in Wilmington, NC, for over 7 years. Beverly was also an active member of Pine Valley Baptist Church, and a member of their choir, for over 55 years.

Beverly was a faithful worker, godly example of Christian love and spent her life serving through her work, her church service, and her volunteer work with Relay for Life. She was happiest when outdoors and surrounded by nature and flowers.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Franklin, and is survived by three children and two son-in-laws, daughter Mona Franklin Boehling and her husband, Lawrence Boehling; daughter Lynn Franklin and her husband, Jon Stratis Pridgeon; and son, William C. Franklin.

A graveside service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, February 12th at Greenlawn Memorial Park with arrangements being handled by Coble Funeral & Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1155 Shipyard Blvd Wilmington, NC 28412, (910) 791-4444.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Life Center, the American Cancer Society, or that a tree be planted in Beverly’s honor.