Rev. John Franklin

Love lives on as we celebrate the extraordinary life of Rev. John Edward Franklin.
He was born on February 6, 1952 to John Sterling and Lorine Owens; he was later adopted by
her husband, Milas Franklin, Jr..
As a young child, he accepted Christ as his personal savior and served the church faithfully at
Mt. Nebo Baptist Church where his father was pastor. He diligently served God even as his
health began to fail. In his time of disability, he still prayed, won souls for Christ, and sang praise
and worship songs.
He was educated in the Dallas Independent School District. He attended Lincoln Tech
Automotive School. He later attended El Centro and Northlake Colleges, where he received an
Associate’s degree. He pursued and achieved his real estate license and eventually became a
broker. Always an entrepreneur, he had several endeavors over the years such as vending
machines and a coffee service.
In 1976, he married the love of his life, Gloria Allen. To this union, two children were born, Portia
Shantel and April LaShaun. In the early years of marriage, he was called by God to become a
minister and he served at God’s Praise Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Ocie
Hammond. He later reunited with his high school friend, Pastor Samuel Hendricks, to plant and
lead Full Gospel Word of Faith Church. He served faithfully as the Associate Pastor and worship
leader at Full Gospel until, with God’s leading, he joined Pathway of Life Church where he was a
member until his death.
For recreation and fun, he enjoyed time with his wife, daughters, son in law, and friends playing
dominoes, spades, and video game bowling. He liked watching sci-fi, westerns, The Three
Stooges, and historical documentaries. He would often spend time reading the Bible and books
on spiritual things.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorine Lucy Owens Franklin; his grandparents, Will T.
Owens, Jr. and Lorine L. Brown Owens; his beloved aunt, Florell Thomas; and his in laws, Pete
& Parthenia Turner and Ozell Allen.
He leaves to cherish his life and legacy, his wife, Gloria; daughters, Portia Harvey (Reuel) and
April Ott (Charles); sister, Phyllis Jackson (Stephen); Aunts, Florine Ware, Bernice Banks, and
Gladys Jefferson (John); special caregivers, Pamela Mitchell and Lisa Martinez, and host of
cousins, church members, classmates and friends.