Ruth Jewel Franklin Guest

Ruth Jewel Franklin born January 7, 1931, the third of six girls born to the late Augustus Naamon and Ruth Julia Wilson Franklin of Augusta, Arkansas. Two sisters preceded her in death, Sarah A. Massey and Gwendolyn A. Rogers. Ruth attended school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas before moving to Los Angeles, California around 1955 where she finished her education and taught 1st grade for 20 years. She was a faithful member of Lewis Metropolitan C.M.E. Church and sang in the choir. Her hobbies were music and gardening which she demonstrated with a lovely lawn and patio. Ruth moved to Memphis around 1996 where she joined Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. While there, she joined the “BAGS” Ministry and met Helen Lee. They became very close friends. Ruth was considered a member of the family before Helen’s death and became “Mimi” to Helen’s grand kids & great-grand kids. After Helen’s passing in 2004, her three daughters, Jackie, Juwaness, Adriene and their husbands, shared many celebrations and family gatherings and cared for and considered Ruth a second mother. She received her wings Saturday, July 11, 2020 about 1:00 a.m. at St. Claire Nursing and Rehabilitation in Bartlett, Tennessee. She will be laid to rest Saturday, July 18th at 12:30 p.m. at Mason Cemetery in Augusta, Arkansas. Visitation will be Saturday, July 18 prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County in Augusta, Arkansas. She leaves to cherish her memory two children, a son, Frank (Ruby) Barnes & a daughter, Cynthia Barnes Dillard; two grandsons, franklin Barnes and Chioke Dillard all of Los Angeles, California; three sisters, Emily Maruoka and Verna Mae Franklin of New York, New York and Helen Stiles of Memphis; and 15 nieces and nephews from all over the country. The Lee family, her adopted family, will cherish her memory; three daughters, Jackie Tunstall, Juwaness (Ric) Keplinger, Adriene (Winston) Cross; six grand children, Jason Tunstall, Jordan and Kaitlyn Keplinger, Winston Cross, II, Austin Cross and Bryan Cross and 11 great grandchildren. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

Ruth Jewel Franklin Guest

January 7, 1931 - July 11, 2020