Cleta Franklin

Waynesville, Cleta Singleton Franklin, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Smoky Mountain Health & Rehabilitation Center.

A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late James Guy and Lois Rogers Singleton.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Franklin who died in 1985; brothers, Bruce, Roger, Donald, Dale and Gary Singleton; in laws, Betty (Walter), James, Jim (Louise) and Richard (Katherine) Franklin; and a grandson, David Franklin.  Cleta was a secretary at Champion Paper for 37 years in the engineering department.  After retirement, she spent time taking care of family, friends and neighbors in need and enjoyed her trips to Lake Keowee.  Cleta enjoyed playing Dominos and Canasta.  She was a member of Francis Cove United Methodist Church and a former member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Dix Creek.

Cleta is survived by two sons, Robby (Diane) Franklin and Barry (Marcia) Franklin; in-laws, Mary (Peg) Dietz, Emma Jean, Bobbie and Eva Nell Singleton; brothers, Steve (Linda) Singleton, Dean (Mary Ann) Singleton; five grandchildren, Christi (Brandon) Ferguson, Andy Franklin, Nicole Ross (Mick Jones), Sierra (Seth) McCleary, Sydney Franklin; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Francis Cove United Methodist Church with Reverend Melissa Lowe and Reverend Terry Rowland officiating.  Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.  On Friday and Saturday, the family will be at Cleta’s home at 354 Wiley Franklin Road.

Memorials may be made to Francis Cove United Methodist Church, 2530 Crymes Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Maple Leaf Adult Respite, 63 Elmwood Way # 1, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Mrs. Franklin has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com