Mabeline McFadden Franklin

God called His beloved servant, Mabeline McFadden Franklin, to eternal rest on Friday, January 31, 2026. Mabeline was born on July 15, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, in the Navy Hill community off 6th Street. She was the youngest child of the late Willie Harrison McFadden and Cassie Stukes McFadden. She attended Navy Hill Elementary School and Maggie Walker High School. Mabeline began her career at Philip Morris USA at the Stockton Street Plant, and later continued at the Philip Morris Manufacturing Center in South Richmond after its opening in 1973. She served as a laboratory inspector in Bay 2 and was well known and respected throughout the facility. She loved her job and took great pride in her work. She retired in 2003 with thirty-two years of service. At the age of sixteen, Mabeline met the love of her life, Reginald Franklin. They were united in marriage on December 15, 1958, and from their union were born three daughters: Robin, Iris, and Valerie. Their love was evident to all who knew them. They enjoyed life together, especially spending time with family and friends. It was a great joy to see them take the floor and began to swing dance, which they did with style and pizzazz. In 1975, the family moved to Henrico, Virginia. There, Mabeline’s natural talent for decorating and gardening flourished. She transformed her home into a beautiful and welcoming space, filled with warmth, style, and professional detail. Outside, she created a peaceful oasis with colorful flowers, tall trees, and carefully manicured landscaping. Mabeline also had an exceptional sense of fashion and loved to sashay in high-heel shoes, which she wore proudly until her health declined. After moving to Henrico, the family joined Saint James Baptist Church. Mabeline remained a faithful and active member for more than thirty-five years. She loved the Lord and her church family and served faithfully in the Ladies Auxiliary and Ader Shemuel Sheepfold. Mabeline was a woman who could not be defined by one word. She was sociable, outgoing, friendly, fun, feisty, direct, quick-witted, strong-minded, and opinionated—and never afraid to stand firmly for what she believed. At the same time, she was generous, caring, loyal and deeply devoted to family and friends. She gave quietly to others, without seeking recognition. As in every life, there were challenges: the devastating loss of her daughter and husband and her own battle with serious illness. However, she met each one with remarkable strength, grace, and unwavering trust in the Lord. Mabeline leaves a legacy of love as a devoted mother, matriarch, sister, and friend. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV). She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Harrison McFadden and Cassie Stukes McFadden; her husband, Reginald Franklin; her daughter, Valerie Franklin; and her siblings, Ida M. Boisseau, Willie “Billy” McFadden, Jr., Rev. Delores Robinson Seay; and her son-in-law, Carroll “Goo” Morton. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Robin Franklin-Morton and Iris Farrow; her devoted sister, Jean Woodson; her grandchildren, Chiwale Farrow, Michael Farrow, Jr., Reginald Farrow, Jade Morton, and Cassidy Morton; her great-grandsons, Ca’lad Farrow and ItzaKing Farrow; two brothers-in-laws, Clarence Franklin and Ronald Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is also lovingly cherished by her lifelong friend, Blanch Ruffin; her lifelong beloved elder, Daisy Mae McFadden; her devoted caregiver, Shaquana Duncan; and her nurse, Marilyn O’Neill. Watch the funeral service live online: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@sjbcofvarina5087?si=3O28DOgxfLqDineQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjbcofvarina

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Mabeline McFadden Franklin

July 15, 1940 - January 31, 2026