Maribel Denham Franklin, 79, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, Aug. 5.
Known affectionally as “Bell” by her family and friends, Maribel was born in Eatonton, where she lived almost her entire life.
She was the beloved wife of Tony Franklin; on Aug. 20, they would have been married 58 years. Friends since Belle was 3 years old, the couple shared many happy times of raising a family and hosting gatherings in their home with family, friends and neighbors. She and Tony also enjoyed escaping away together to the mountains.
Born to dairyman Mr. Algie and Mrs. Edna Maddox Denham in 1944, Maribel attended schools in Eatonton and Putnam County. She then earned her a bachelor degree in elementary education from Georgia College For Women in Milledgeville and her Master of Education from the University of Georgia. She initially taught school for a few years in Atlanta where Tony was employed. Then they moved back to Eatonton and she taught fifth grade in Putnam County and also was one of the teachers in the county’s pilot program for kindergarten. She later earned her media specialist certificate, at which time the children began calling her “The Book Lady.”
After more than 30 years of teaching, Maribel retired, took art lessons and stayed busy drawing and painting pictures in all mediums. Her works are displayed all over her home, including the many pencil-drawing portraits of family members she did. She spent even more time knitting and shared her love of it with friends in a local knitting club.
Maribel also was a talented pianist and began playing for funerals when she was 13 years old. She played piano at First Independent Methodist Church and was the longtime pianist and organist at Wesley Chapel Methodist Church in Eatonton, where she was a member. She also taught Sunday School at Wesley Chapel as well as the children’s sermon during the worship service.
Although she and Tony had purchased property to build a new house, Maribel loved her family’s home on the dairy farm and so they later moved into it instead. There, they hosted prayer meetings on Wednesday nights, alternating weeks with other neighbors who also held the meetings in their homes.
Maribel was predeceased by her parents, her brother Buddy Denham, and her daughter Traci Young. Left to cherish her memories are her husband Tony, son Chip Owen, son-in-law Kenny Young, “adopted daughter” Rachel Mays, grandchildren Amanda Vail, Tonee Young, Dakotah Paulin, Ty Young, Joshua Owen, and Jared Owen, great-grandchildren Teresa Owen, Tatum Paulin, and Alexie Vail, and her and Tony’s fur baby chihuahua Monnie.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, Aug. 12 at Vining Ivy Hill Chapel, 105 Lower Harmony Rd., Eatonton, Ga. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 10 a.m. until the service starts. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. James Smith and Rev. Ron Smith, and eulogy will be given by Chip Owen.
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