Fern Mae Franklin, 89, of Plymouth, New York, peacefully passed away with her daughter, Donna, son, Ben Jr., and other family members by her side on September 22, 2024, while living with her daughter in New Bern, North Carolina, for the past few years. Fern was born March 16, 1935 to John and Noana Bush in Lincoln, New York. She was the only surviving daughter of 10 children, (Lois, Richard, Molly, Goldie, Donald, Duane, Ruben, John, Kenneth, and Frankie). Fern was married to Benjamin Sr. for 69 years, when he passed away in 2020 at the age of 94 while living in North Carolina.
Fern lived in Chenango County, New York, most of her life and worked with Champion in Norwich for 20 years and then the Chenango Valley Retirement Home in Norwich, where she retired after working there for 20 years.
Fern is survived by her children, Donna and her husband Rich of New Bern, North Carolina, and Benjamin Jr. and his wife Laurie of Greene, New York. Fern has four grandchildren: Christopher Daniels, Lyndsey Tanner, Derek Franklin, and Hope Daniels.She has six great-grandchildren: William Blake, Emma Grace, Sophie Kate, Olivia, Harper and Paisley; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life for Fern to be held from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, November 17 at the Plymouth Fire House, in Plymouth, New York.
The Franklin family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Craven County Hospice, Craven County Health Department Foundation, P.O. Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561.