Celebrating the Life of Deloris Franklin

Deloris was born on a working plantation in Alabama. She was the youngest of seven children. At a young age, she and her family moved to Birmingham, where she would forge a life defined by resilience, athleticism, and a deep love for her community.

A Spirited and Dynamic Youth

Growing up, Deloris was a self-described tomboy who always preferred the energy of the sports field to the quiet of a textbook. She could rough and tumble with the best of them, regularly joining the neighborhood kids for football games where she proudly proved she could hit as hard-and outrun-most of the boys at a moment's notice. In high school, her natural athletic talent and rhythm shone brightly as a gifted majorette. She absolutely loved to dance! With an outgoing personality and an easy charm, Deloris surrounded herself with many friends throughout her youth, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

A Legacy of Service and Quiet Joys

Deloris dedicated four decades of her life to federal service, retiring after a long career with the Department of the Air Force. While she spent the majority of her life as a true extrovert, her later years brought a well-deserved shift toward the quiet comforts of home. She found great joy in the simple pleasures of retirement: settling in to watch her favorite television show, The Golden Girls, and enjoying a scoop of her absolute favorite ice cream-Blue Bell's Pralines 'n Cream, naturally.

A Witness to History and Champion for Justice

Though she often joked that she hated school, Deloris possessed a profound love for history, with a particular dedication to Black History. Living through the crucible of the Civil Rights Movement, she was just 14 years old when the horrific bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church shook Birmingham, claiming the lives of four young girls-one of whom was her exact age.

Having firsthand experience with the enduring hardships and systemic oppression of the post-Civil War era, Deloris became a fierce, lifelong supporter of civil rights, justice, and the advancement of all oppressed people. Because of her deep ties to this history, remembering and honoring her legacy on Juneteenth serves as a profoundly fitting tribute to her life and values.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers or traditional donations, the family requests that contributions be made in Deloris's name to your nearest Historically Black College or University (HBCU), continuing her lifelong commitment to the advancement and empowerment of future generations.