Arthur Paul Franklin passed away on July 8, 2019, only eight days after his beloved Laura. Paul was born February 12, 1923 in Mulga Alabama, to Arthur Smith Franklin and Harriett Echols Franklin. Following graduation from Ensley High in 1940, he entered Birmingham Southern College, which he was attending when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1943. Paul entered the Army Air Corps and the engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis; however, the following year new orders transferred him to the Army’s 65th Infantry Division, landing in La Havre France in January 1945. The 65th participated in both the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns, pushing through Germany and Austria until the war ended. For his service, he was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. After the war ended, Paul served in the occupation army in Dachau, Germany until March 1946. After his time in the military concluded, he was employed by South Central Bell for 43 years.
Besides wife Laura, Paul was preceded in death by sisters Jeanette Elliott and Marjorie Scott and brothers Howard and Ellington Echols (Buddy) Franklin. Survivors are son Paul Huey Franklin (Eva) and daughter Suzanne Whitfield (Bill), grandchildren Valerie Salinas (Greg) and Ben Whitfield (Lesley), and great-grandchildren Henry and Ivy Salinas.
Throughout his life, Paul was active in the United Methodist Church, including Midway, Ensley First and St. Mark’s UMC in Vestavia Hills. He had a nice tenor voice and frequently sang with Laura. He also loved gardening and in retirement enjoyed volunteering with the Vestavia Hills Men’s Gardening Club. Paul never met a stranger and made connections with people wherever he went.
A joint funeral service will be held for both Paul and Laura on Tuesday, July 16 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham; visitation will be from 10am-12pm, with burial at 1:15pm at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Rev. Don Cross officiating.
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