Johnnie Mae (Stover) Franklin

Homegoing Service for Mrs. Johnnie Stover Franklin,71, of Decatur, AL will be 11:00AM Saturday at Shiloh M.B. Church with Bishop Sam Rice Officiating, Dr. Karockas Watkins Eulogist, and Dr. Edward Owens Host Pastor. Entombment will follow in Roselawn Memory Gardens. Mrs. Franklin will lie in repose one hour prior to service.

Public viewing will be Friday from 10:00AM until 5:00PM at Reynolds Funeral Home. 

JOHNNIE MAE STOVER FRANKLIN, age 71, of Decatur, Alabama, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026. She was born on July 12, 1954, in Decatur, Alabama, where she spent her life surrounded by family, friends, and the community she dearly loved.

Johnnie Mae will be remembered for her loving heart, unwavering faith, and deep devotion to family and others. She touched countless lives through her compassion, strength, kindness, and the warmth she shared so freely. Her presence brought comfort, encouragement, and joy to family and friends alike, and her memory will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service that will never be forgotten. The family asks that Johnnie Mae be remembered not for the way her life ended, but for the beautiful way she lived and the countless lives she touched throughout her years.

Johnnie Mae Stover Franklin was born to the late Dorothy Jean Stover and John Thomas Watkins. She entered into eternal rest at Decatur Morgan Hospital. She was the second of nine children. Her grandparents were Hattie Sizemore Stover and Nathaniel Stover, and Katie Neal Watkins and James T. Watkins.

At the age of ten, Johnnie Mae accepted the Lord as her Savior and joined Bell Primitive Baptist Church under the leadership and guidance of her uncle, Pastor Ernest Watkins. Later joining Shiloh MB with her family before becoming a first lady. She attended Decatur High School and she later pursued opportunities in healthcare. Johnnie Mae dedicated many years of service to the healthcare industry, including working at Decatur General Hospital, the State of Alabama Health Department and Home Health Department, Hospice of the Valley, Home Instead, and several other healthcare organizations throughout her career.

On May 24, 1974, Mother Franklin married the love of her life and best friend, Dr. George Franklin. Their union was built on love, faith, and dedication. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, as well as her sister, Tarrian Lynn, and brother, Thomas Lawrence Watkins.

Mother Johnnie Mae Franklin faithfully served as First Lady at several churches, including Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Alabama; St. Matthews Primitive Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama; and Union Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama. After Pastor George retired, Pastor and Lady Franklin joined Emmanuel the Connection in Huntsville, Alabama. Mother Franklin served over the Mothers Ministry and faithfully assisted with the Seniors Ministry. Serving the Lord remained one of her greatest priorities. She continued her passion for helping others and expressed her creativity through her gifted talent as a seamstress.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory: her loving husband, Dr. George Franklin; two sons, Karockas Watkins (Audra) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Brandon Watkins (Marcy) of Madison, Alabama; one daughter, Ashia Watkins of Decatur, Alabama; and six beloved grandchildren: Brandon Watkins, II of Memphis, Tennessee; Brianna Watkins-Anthony (Jonathan) of Huntsville, Alabama; Ivy Watkins and Zoe Watkins of Madison, Alabama; Christian Watkins of Memphis, Tennessee; and Joshua Watkins of Huntsville, Alabama.

She is also survived by her siblings: Betty Arnold (Kato), Edith Carthen, Emma Higgins (Thomas), Martha Mangrum, Charrian Harris, Brian Watkins, and Judy Jackson (Avery), Three brothers-in -law: Edward Franklin (Doris) , David Bass (Brenda), Isaac Bass (Vickie) and one sister-in-law, Bobbie Ayers; a loving uncle, Willie James Townsend, Decatur, AL, a godfather, Charles Sears, and a faithful god daughter, Meshellda Taylor. Mother Franklin raised many of her siblings including the two youngest siblings, Brian and Judy, as her own due to the untimely death of their mother. She later welcomed their nephew, Cedric Franklin in their home.

Due to her outstanding and loving personality, she was embraced as family to many in the community, including her loving cousins, nieces, and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews; along with a host of extended family members, church family, and dear friends whose lives she touched deeply.

Though she will be greatly missed, her legacy of faith, love, kindness, and service will continue to live on through those she loved and inspired.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.