Obituary of Carol Ann Franklin-Jones

Reflections of You "In Between the Dash" On August 28, 2022, Carol Ann Franklin-Jones threw off her mortal coil, peacefully left this earthly plane and went from her labor to her reward to rest until the Almighty calls her from her slumber. She was proceeded in death by her husband Lawrence Lee Jones on December 1, 2010. Carol was born in the District of Columbia (D.C) on April 23,1947, to the late Alice Hall Franklin and George Franklin. She was the second child born to this union. Her brother, Kenneth George Franklin, who was three years her senior, was the first. He currently resides in Southern California. Her oldest brother, the late Mike Holiday, passed away in 2000. Her only sister, Velma Louise Cox, currently resides in Southern California. Prior to this last illness in June 2022, she spoke to Kenneth by phone everyday. Carol loved to travel. In past years, the sisters enjoyed traveling together. Carol was a Washingtonian. She was born, raised, educated, domiciled and employed in D.C. Although, she lived in New Jersey over these last two and a half years, her heart and home remained in the little row house on the 4300 block of Third Street in Northwest nestled next to her childhood home just next door. Some remember her living in Barry Farms, S.E. as a toddler. While others remember her from Maryland Avenue, N.E. as an elementary student. Still others remember her from Oklahoma Avenue, N.E. as a ten-year old seamstress. The youngest to ever receive a certificate from Singer for her dress-making. However, most remember her from her N.W. Petworth neighborhood where she lived with her mother, her mother's new husband, Pop Linwood Golden, and Kenneth. They were one of the few Black families who integrated the neighborhood in 1959. Moving uptown afforded Carol and her brother more educational opportunities. Little did she and her brother know that they would be desegregating the local schools along the way and becoming a part of a movement - a Civil Right's Movement. Carol attended Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School from 1961 until she graduated in 1965. She immediately entered Miner Teachers College, later to become Federal City College (FCC). In 1975, Carol graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing. She attended part-time while working full-time and raising two daughters. Her oldest daughter and oldest granddaughter would follow in her educational footsteps and receive bachelor's degrees from the University of the District of Columbia whose predecessor was FCC. Education was extremely important to Carol. She would reiterate that it mattered not how long the process, but the import of its attainment. Education is the vehicle to career, social, economic and personal advancement. Carol left knowing all of her grandchildren are in college. Carol gave her life to Christ at 12 years-old at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, DC. She was active in youth ministry. She remained active at her home church until 1981, when she married, moved to the suburbs of DC and began attending Forest Heights Baptist Church. She was a part of various ministries including but not limited to youth Sunday school and Finance. She was best remembered as the "Bread Lady" for her bread distribution ministry. Twenty-four years ago, Carol became acquainted with the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Family in Lawnside, NJ. She enjoyed the youth and donated regularly to the ministry. She had many happy moments at Mt. Zion. Over the last 5 years, she attended regularly. Over the summer of 2022, her health prevented her from attending. Although, it did not stop her from praising the Lord! Carol was employed briefly by the U.S. Postal Service before finding her forever career with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in 1969 until its name change in 1980 to the Department of Education. She gave over five decades of service during her tenure at the Department. Carol had many positions at the Department, but none more satisfying than her position as a management and program analyst in the Office of Financial Aid. She was a wealth of knowledge for anyone who had questions about rules and regulations, obtaining financial aid, loans and grants, or needed answers about loan repayment. She retired in February of 2020. Carol was a loyal and honest friend. She was a proud member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority for over 30 years. Carol is most fondly remembered for being proficient at whatever she laid her hand to and for making it flourish. She could paint a car, diagnose a vehicle issue, build a campfire, pitch a tent, dig refrigeration and a latrine at camp, crochet, sew, cook, cater, entertain, train a dog, grow plants, manicure yards, discipline children and give wise advise. Whew, not much she couldn't do! Carol always had what you needed. Car battery won't start. She had a gadget for that! Need to charge your android, Iphone and any other device at the same time. Yes, she had a three prong cord portable charger for that! It could be the most random request. Carol would always have a fix for that! She was always prepared. Carol would say her greatest accomplishments were not her education, career, hobbies, or community outreach, but her girls, Sondi and Linay. As a mother, Carol was fiercely protective and equally as supportive of their every effort and endeavor. Just when one didn't believe Carol could love, protect, sacrifice and support more intensely, she did - for her grandchildren! Carol leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Velma L. Cox, and brother, Kenneth G. Franklin (Antoinette); to continue her legacy, her daughters, Sondi A. (Franklin) Lee (Reginald) and Linay A. Franklin Foreman; to hold "Dear" her grandchildren, Tajah A. Franklin, Eldridge E. Lee, Elijah-David A. Lee, Lacey A. Franklin-Foreman and Zion A. Lee; to remember fondly, her nieces and nephews, Ernest Foster, Wajeehah Azeez, Miko Dieudonne, Michael Hall, Masumi Boone, Kristin, Kenneth, Keith and Kyle Franklin.