Lee Ethel Franklin

Lee Ethel (Sims) Franklin was born on January 14, 1931 to Adam Sims and Leola (Ware) Brown in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She departed this life peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on December 21, 2024 in Joliet, Illinois.

At the young age of 9, she moved from the South to Pulaski, Illinois with her parents. Upon entering adulthood, Lee Ethel moved to East St. Louis, Illinois with her three eldest children and mother. In 1954, she married Floyd Franklin Sr. and settled in Joliet, Illinois with their four children.

As her family continued to grow, Lee Ethel took pride in being a wife, mother, daughter and caregiver for many. She was loving, caring, compassionate, charming, energetic and full of life. Her greatest love and accomplishments were the birth and rearing of every one of her children. Being a mother brought her great joy and purpose as she always made it a priority to instill love in everyone around her.

Lee Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Franklin Sr.;  mother, Leola Brown; sister, Doris Marie Sims; father, Adam Sims; stepfather, Robert Brown; grandson, Terrell Franklin, and great-great granddaughter, Serenity Summers.

Lee Ethel leaves to cherish her precious memories: 11 children, Robert (Jodie) Sims, Brenda Martin, Gwenda Robinson, Tonie Crossland, Floyda Mack, Gale Franklin, Floyd (Roberta) Franklin Jr., Leona Saunders, Mary Ann Franklin, Steven Franklin, and Crystal Franklin; two godchildren, Anna Assam and Thomas (Barbara) Dantzler Sr.; 22 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren; very special cousins, the Ervins Family as well as an abundance of close family and friends whom she cherished dearly.

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