Irene Franklin

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Irene Franklin, 85, of Olive Branch died at 10:20 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Irene was born Jan. 20, 1932, in Olive Branch, the daughter of Barney S. and Hannah Elizabeth (Hill) Henderson.

She married Earl Franklin on May 2, 1953. He preceded her in death on July 15, 1999.

She retired as a cook after many years of working for St. Mary's Hospital in Cairo, Illinois, Glen's Restaurant and Emerson School. She was a member of the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Olive Branch.

Irene is survived by her children, Linda Frank, Brenda Kay Poole, Edward Eugene Pearl, Deborah Sue Upshaw, Don Earl Franklin, Daniel Lynn Franklin, Kathy Irene Franklin; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Bernice McRaven; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Colten Pearl; brothers, Don Henderson and Ted Henderson; sisters, Ludene Henderson, Daisy Kelly, and Angeline Boes.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Olive Branch.

Funeral services for Irene will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with Rev. Stephen Clardy and Rev. Bill Freeman officiating. Interment will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home or church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit crainsonline.com.