Betty Jean Franklin

Betty Jean Johnson Franklin passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2012 in her seventy eighth year of life. She was the loving wife of James E. Franklin and proud mother of Cathy Marie Dunn Wedekind (Howard William Wedekind), and Kimberly Franklin Nyberg (John William Nyberg); sister, Shirley Mai Johnson Rader (Franklin Anderson Rader); brother, Donald Boo (Carol Boo), seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Sammie C. Johnson and mother, Clara Mai Johnson and sons, Henon Andrew Dunn and Sammie Charles Dunn. Her fifty three years with her beloved husband, Musso was filled with adventure and many simple pleasures including camping and fishing all along Tennessee lakes. They took many journeys to Knoxville for University of Tennessee football games, and yearly pilgrimages to Florida with the Old Hickory clan – their extended family of lifelong friends. Betty and Musso enjoyed travel of all kind – whether it was atrip to the lake or a planned trip to Hawaii or fishing cruise to Alaska. Betty had many gifts and special talents, beyond her talents as a barber, her fingers stayed busy with creating beautiful quilts and heirlooms which she shared with her friends and family – a gift from Betty is cherished forever. She loved to "dig in the dirt" and could grow anything! She was often seen "borrowing" plants from other gardens. Her green thumb grew many things from strawberries and tomatoes to roses and irises. Her life was rich and always surrounded by friends, southern hospitality and down home cooking. She loved to cook for others, she always knew your favorite food and it was on the table when you came to her house for dinner. Professionally she was best known for being the second lady barber in Nashville. While in Barber College in the early 1960's, she joined Judy's Barber Ship in the historic Maxwell House Hotel in downtown Nashville and later moved to the Exchange Building. She would spend the next 35 years as one of Nashville's most sought after barbers at the Unique Barber and Style shop, in the First American Center. Her clientele included Nashville's most prominent businessmen, entertainers, television personalities, and government leaders. Betty will be greatly missed by all her families including her church family. She was member of the Hermitage United Methodist Church (HUMC) and beloved member of the Unity Sunday school class. She enriched her walk with Christ through participating in the Walk to Emmaus and was often found in the HUMC kitchen preparing meals for Church events. She enjoyed so much helping others, one Christmas she knitted over 100 winter caps for Nashville's homeless distributed by the Room in the Inn. No one will forget her joy of life, boundless energy and her positive attitude that gave us such hope and a belief that all things are possible and that miracles can happen. Our mother was known by a lot of names: Mother, Momma, Shugg, Sissy, Sister, Betty the Barber, Betty Jean (although you better not let her hear you) but the name she was most proud of was "Christian". Visitation with her family will be 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with Memorial Service following on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 in the Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, Hadley Chapel, 1700 Hadley Avenue, Old Hickory, Tennessee. In lieu of customary remembrances, charitable donations may be directed to Hermitage United Methodist Church, Nashville Union Mission, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Nashville Ronald McDonald House. Thank you for allowing us the privilege to share the things that are most dear to us about her and thank you for coming to celebrate her life. Kim and Cathy

Betty Jean Franklin

March 28, 1934 - May 26, 2012