Barbara H. Franklin, 94, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 17, 2014.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara Fallon; granddaughter Stephanie Hummel (Roger); and her grandson Michael Graham (Kinsey).
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Louis Fallon in 1992; her husband Tom Franklin; all three of her brothers, Raymond H., William R., and Donald S. Perks; her mother Myrtle E. Perks; father William H. Perks; and her youngest daughter Janice E. Graham.
She was 94 years young and always gave her best to everyone, especially her grandchildren. Born Aug. 1, 1920, in Philadelphia, Penn., and raised in Ocean City, N.J., Franklin graduated from Ocean City High. After graduating, she went to work in Philadelphia where she lived and worked until she went into the WAAC (Women’s Army Air Corps) at 22 and served during WWII receiving her Honorable Discharge in 1945. She loved the Army and photos of her with Jimmy Durante, Ethel Merman, Bob Hope, and many more, shows she also enjoyed the USO.
She married Louis Fallon in late 1943 and had two daughters, Barbara F. Fallon and Janice E. Fallon. She was divorced a couple of years later. Shortly after, she married Tom Franklin and they lived in Absecon, N.J. until moving to Sebastian at the end of August, 1955. She worked for Dr. Kelso at his clinic. She then moved to Vero Beach where she worked for UF Entomological Research Center and resided until she passed away. She visited and lived in Hawaii for two years in the 80s.
Franklin also played in a local women’s softball league in the mid 1960s with her daughter Jan and bowled with her daughter “Little” Barb on a league for several years in the mid to late 1960s.
She was very active in the community most of her life, giving back where ever she could. She was a 4-H leader in Absecon, N.J. She was an accomplished photographer who took pictures for numerous events and occasions. She retired from the UF Entomological Research Center on Oslo road in 1985 and dedicated herself to the hospital Auxiliary, the hibiscus society, and the garden club, the latter two of which she was a board member. She was president, secretary, and treasurer many times in each of the latter two as well as state director, judging flower shows for many years.
Her first love however was the IRC Volunteer Ambulance Squad, which she helped found and was a charter member. She designed the official patch which is still worn today. She retired from the squad shortly after it became a non-emergency transport squad. She served them for 22 plus years.
Franklin donated more than 37 gallons of blood and volunteered over 17,000 hours in the hospital Auxiliary much of it in the Surgery Center under Dr. Mel Richardson and the hospital print shop under Chris Bridwell.
She was the best mother and grandmother anyone could ever wish for and we will miss her deeply. Her grandchildren were the light of her life.
Carrying on Franklin’s love of giving back to the community, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the IRC Volunteer Ambulance Squad, the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, or the Vero Beach Humane Society.
There will be a memorial celebration of life at a later date to be announced.