Charles Wayne Franklin

Charles Wayne Franklin, 73, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away suddenly at home on Friday, January 24th, 2025. Funeral services for Wayne will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 28th, at Centenary Assembly of God with Rev. Ervin C. Russell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service.

Wayne was a man of many interests, talents, and opportunities. He worked in several different jobs and industries over the years, but there was nothing he loved more than farming. From cows and chickens to his vegetable garden, anything that kept him outside made him happy. It didn't hurt that he was generally good at whatever he set his mind to do, which including farming, mechanic work, and wood-working. Talk about a jack of all trades! Wayne was also definitely your man if you needed to get somewhere in a hurry or just the right part to fix nearly anything as he never believed in wasting what might one day come in handy. When he was at home, he was usually accompanied by one of his beloved canine companions, and on Saturdays in the Fall, you were probably going to find him cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide football team to victory.

If you met Wayne once, you weren't likely to forget him...if for nothing more than the fact that he probably talked your ear off the entire time! There were few things Wayne loved more than talking, to anybody, and his goofy sense of humor certainly endeared him to many of the people who knew him. He had a huge heart and loved most anybody, but there was no one he loved more than he did his family. He met the love of his life, Edwina Williamson, thanks to someone's excellent matchmaking skills, and he remained devoted to her the rest of their days. Now, that's not saying there was never a cross word uttered, but you better watch out if you planned to criticize one in front of the other. Those two remained a united front who always had each other's back, even through the worst of tragedies. He also doted on his daughters and loved nothing more than being a "Paw Paw" to his grandchildren and "G-Paw" to his great-grandchildren. He was a devoted and dedicated family man throughout his life and meant more than words could possibly express to all those who knew and loved him so dearly. He's gone to his heavenly reward far too soon, but comfort can be found not only in the lifetime of memories made together but also the knowledge that he has been reunited with his cherished daughter, Anitra.

Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Anitra Franklin, and parents, Charles Reuben & Nell Surles Franklin. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Edwina Williamson Franklin; their daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie & Shane Waters; grandchildren, Taylor (Ashton) Causey and Brittany (Michael) Gatlin; great-grandchildren, Ethan Waters, Caleb Waters, and Raelyn Causey; sisters, Kathy Franklin and Melissa (Matt) Waters; niece, Summer (Ethan) Pfleger; nephew, Ryan Waters; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Allen Bowen, Buddy Jeffcoat, Larry Pate, Jim Tranum, Rayn Owens, George Tranum, and Brad Fleming.