Ruth Evelyn Franklin

Ruth Scholz Franklin 94, of Point Pleasant, died quietly at Holzer Assisted Living, Gallipolis, Ohio on July 28, 2007. She was born October 5, 1912 in Chicago, IL, and claimed Point Pleasant as her home since the early twenties. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ethel Scholz; by her husbands: Carter Franklin on 2/12/1984, and Mark Haymond on 12/12/1993; by two sisters: Frances Hill and Dorothy Poling. She is survived by her children Carter Franklin II and his wife Eleanor of Houston, TX; John Franklin and his wife Claudette of Point Pleasant; and Sarah Strahl and her husband Glenn of Pleasanton, CA; a sister, Rose Martin, of Huntington; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren. She attended Point Pleasant High School and was valedictorian for her class. She went on to West Virginia University. During her senior year, her parents moved to Indiana. As was then the custom, she moved as well and completed her degree at Hanover College, but always thought of herself as a WVU alumna. She was a 76-year member of the Alpha Phi sorority and a charter member of the Beta lota chapter at West Virginia University, serving as chapter president. Upon graduation, she returned to Point Pleasant to begin her career as a social worker. Needing a car, with the advice of her father she purchased a used Model T. She told many wonderful stories of visiting people who lived far up in the hills. She often would be able to drive only part of the way to a home, parking her car and walking the rest of the way. During these trips, she developed her love for the West Virginia hills, a passion that endured for the rest of her life. She was highly interested in state environmental issues, and supported many WV conservation projects and issues during her lifetime. In the early 1980's, she and her closest friend from WVU, Reba Sheets found themselves widows. They shared a love of West Virginia and Ruth drove throughout the state, collecting Wildflower Trail patches from all the state parks. She was an 81-year member of the Point Pleasant Presbyterian church, where she served as elder, Sunday school teacher, circle leader and other positions of leadership. She was a business partner in Charter's Menswear in the years of its existence as the successor to the Ben Franklin Co. of Point Pleasant. She returned to her career in social services serving as a child welfare worker during the 1960's She was an excellent seamstress, becoming an avid quilter later in life. She completed or restored over 35 quilts for family members and friends. She will be remembered for her faith, strength, and deep love of family. Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church. Family will receive friends on Friday, August 10, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home, 2226 Jackson Ave, Point Pleasant, WV, 25550.