Hulett Carless “H.C.” Franklin, Jr.

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Hulett Carless “H.C.” Franklin, Jr., 98, died Monday, May 9, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The funeral will be Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. John Kramer officiating. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral home.

Mr. Franklin was a WWII Veteran, serving as a Seaman 1st Class in the Navy. During this time, he worked as a landing craft operator in the South Pacific. Back home, with ten acres and 2 mules, Mr. Franklin farmed cotton. With his wife by his side, they could each pick 300 pounds of cotton a day. His children cherish fond memories of helping their parents harvest and tend to the crop and riding along to the gin. Mr. Franklin’s labor didn’t end there, as he also spent time working as a school bus driver and county road worker. He retired as Assistant Chief after 27 years of service at the Oxford Police Department. When he wasn’t on duty, he worked as a security officer for First National Bank. As a proud member of the Oxford-Lafayette community, he held a seat on the Oxford Board of Alderman and was co-owner of Franklin’s Country Store. With a passion for helping other veterans, he was a member of the American Legion and State Commissioner of the DAV. Mr. Franklin was a faithful member of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church and The Beacon Coffee Club. As recently as last Friday, he sat with coffee in hand, enjoying morning conversation with his dear friends. Mr. Franklin was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Ruth Franklin; parents; two sisters; a brother; a son, Larry; and a grandson, Danny Collins.

Mr. Franklin is survived by his daughter, Susan Franklin of Oxford, MS; his son, Hugh Franklin and his wife, Linda of Oxford, MS; a brother, James Franklin of Oklahoma; as well as two grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions or expressions of sympathy in Mr. Franklin’s memory may be made to St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Oxford for Inter-Faith Compassion Ministries, P.O. Box 6, Oxford, MS 38655, or to The Pantry of Oxford, P.O. Box 588, Oxford, MS 38655.