In memoriam
Rev. Lewis Allen Franklin
Obituary
Reverend Lewis Allen Franklin, 90, peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Willis, Texas, with his beloved wife by his side. Pastor Franklin never met a stranger and would share his testimony and belief in God with anyone willing to listen. He lived a life marked by faith, family, music, service, hard work, and an unwavering love for Jesus.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Darlene Hayman Franklin; three children and their spouses: Keith Allen and Dee Anna Franklin, Dr. Josiah A. Franklin and Sean Greene and Kimberly Ann and Jonathan Dikes. Ten grandchildren, their spouses and eight great grandchildren: Kynda and Travis Knight (Rowan), Kayla and Jason Spradley (Beige and Avia), Cassandra Franklin Kutev and Shelby (Liev and Elaina), Garrett Dikes, Sebastian Franklin, Oriana Franklin (Julianna), Kenton Franklin, Grant and Megan Dikes (Eliana), Grayson Dikes (Ivy), and Gage Dikes. He is also survived by sister, Sandra Bell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Odis Allen Franklin and Ann Friedenbach Franklin; and his sisters and brother-in-law: Phyllis Hayslip, Rochelle & Jack Mince, and Lois Ann Cook. Pastor Franklin was a part of the South Texas Assemblies of God Ministries. He pastored churches in New Mexico and West Texas during the 1980s and 1990s before settling in Porter, Texas where he led the flock of Porter First Assembly of God from 1998 until his retirement in 2015. He grew to appreciate and embrace newer worship music when his son, Keith, joined him as Minister of Music in 1999.
He enjoyed the musical challenge that modern worship brought. Our Dad’s Life and His Legacy Dad began playing the mandolin at the age of seven while traveling with his family. As a small boy, a music teacher told him that he had no talent. His father prayed for him and Dad received a gift that would become an important part of his life and ministry. Mom and Dad began playing music together in church before they were married. Dad first saw Mom playing the piano at church and told those around him, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Their love of music and worship became part of the family legacy that carried throughout his life. Music followed Dad throughout his ministry. He served in many churches as a musician and would go wherever musicians were needed for worship. After his children had grown and left home, he answered the call on his life to pastor. To his children, Dad was Superman. He was incredibly strong for his build—a “tough old bird” who seemed capable of tackling anything put in front of him. He was a faithful husband and a father who loved his family deeply. Our Dad was a patriot and proudly served his country in the United States Army. Dad took his family on countless adventures and vacations; he treasured spending time with his wife and children. He served as a Royal Ranger leader, a church-based program akin to the Boy Scouts. He was always willing to help his children, whether with a school assignment, a home project and after leaving home, he was there to assist with anything we needed. He was a jack-of-all-trades and seemed to master whatever he set his mind to do. He was a skilled journeyman in many of the building trades from electrical work to plumbing and carpentry. Dad was a master craftsman and remodeled every home he lived in. If there was something that needed to be built, repaired, remodeled, or sorted out, Dad was the man to call. Dad strongly believed in being on time—something he faithfully instilled in his children. He was rarely, if ever, late for an event. He had a unique sense of humor and loved to talk, enjoyed joking and laughed loudly and often. He had a knack for making people feel comfortable, welcomed, and included; he, truly, never met a stranger. Dad developed his love for hunting and fishing at a young age. When times were hard, he hunted with his father to help provide food for the family. He grew up eating squirrels, rabbits, deer, fish and many other things that some people today have never had the opportunity to experience. That love for the outdoors stayed with him throughout his life. After retiring from pastoring and as his health allowed, Dad found another way to combine his love of travel, people, and ministry. He worked as a long-distance hotshot driver. He often traveled throughout the night across the country delivering goods to remote places. He told how he would sleep in his truck to get some rest, sometimes in freezing temperatures. But Dad never considered a job to be simply a trip. Wherever he went, he saw people who needed to hear about Jesus. He was not a silent witness. He was outspoken about his faith, and anyone who encountered him was likely to hear the Gospel. That was our dad. We can rejoice in knowing that Dad has gone home to the One he spent his life serving and faithfully telling others about. After 90 years and one week on this earth, Pastor Lewis Allen Franklin has finished his race. He is with his Jesus. His family will miss his voice & the stories, his wisdom & strength, his laughter & jokes, his strong helping hands and maybe what we will miss the most is the exquisite sound of his mandolin. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 Normal Park, Huntsville, Texas. Lunch will follow, on location, for the family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Darlene Hayman Franklin; three children and their spouses: Keith Allen and Dee Anna Franklin, Dr. Josiah A. Franklin and Sean Greene and Kimberly Ann and Jonathan Dikes. Ten grandchildren, their spouses and eight great grandchildren: Kynda and Travis Knight (Rowan), Kayla and Jason Spradley (Beige and Avia), Cassandra Franklin Kutev and Shelby (Liev and Elaina), Garrett Dikes, Sebastian Franklin, Oriana Franklin (Julianna), Kenton Franklin, Grant and Megan Dikes (Eliana), Grayson Dikes (Ivy), and Gage Dikes. He is also survived by sister, Sandra Bell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Odis Allen Franklin and Ann Friedenbach Franklin; and his sisters and brother-in-law: Phyllis Hayslip, Rochelle & Jack Mince, and Lois Ann Cook. Pastor Franklin was a part of the South Texas Assemblies of God Ministries. He pastored churches in New Mexico and West Texas during the 1980s and 1990s before settling in Porter, Texas where he led the flock of Porter First Assembly of God from 1998 until his retirement in 2015. He grew to appreciate and embrace newer worship music when his son, Keith, joined him as Minister of Music in 1999.
He enjoyed the musical challenge that modern worship brought. Our Dad’s Life and His Legacy Dad began playing the mandolin at the age of seven while traveling with his family. As a small boy, a music teacher told him that he had no talent. His father prayed for him and Dad received a gift that would become an important part of his life and ministry. Mom and Dad began playing music together in church before they were married. Dad first saw Mom playing the piano at church and told those around him, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Their love of music and worship became part of the family legacy that carried throughout his life. Music followed Dad throughout his ministry. He served in many churches as a musician and would go wherever musicians were needed for worship. After his children had grown and left home, he answered the call on his life to pastor. To his children, Dad was Superman. He was incredibly strong for his build—a “tough old bird” who seemed capable of tackling anything put in front of him. He was a faithful husband and a father who loved his family deeply. Our Dad was a patriot and proudly served his country in the United States Army. Dad took his family on countless adventures and vacations; he treasured spending time with his wife and children. He served as a Royal Ranger leader, a church-based program akin to the Boy Scouts. He was always willing to help his children, whether with a school assignment, a home project and after leaving home, he was there to assist with anything we needed. He was a jack-of-all-trades and seemed to master whatever he set his mind to do. He was a skilled journeyman in many of the building trades from electrical work to plumbing and carpentry. Dad was a master craftsman and remodeled every home he lived in. If there was something that needed to be built, repaired, remodeled, or sorted out, Dad was the man to call. Dad strongly believed in being on time—something he faithfully instilled in his children. He was rarely, if ever, late for an event. He had a unique sense of humor and loved to talk, enjoyed joking and laughed loudly and often. He had a knack for making people feel comfortable, welcomed, and included; he, truly, never met a stranger. Dad developed his love for hunting and fishing at a young age. When times were hard, he hunted with his father to help provide food for the family. He grew up eating squirrels, rabbits, deer, fish and many other things that some people today have never had the opportunity to experience. That love for the outdoors stayed with him throughout his life. After retiring from pastoring and as his health allowed, Dad found another way to combine his love of travel, people, and ministry. He worked as a long-distance hotshot driver. He often traveled throughout the night across the country delivering goods to remote places. He told how he would sleep in his truck to get some rest, sometimes in freezing temperatures. But Dad never considered a job to be simply a trip. Wherever he went, he saw people who needed to hear about Jesus. He was not a silent witness. He was outspoken about his faith, and anyone who encountered him was likely to hear the Gospel. That was our dad. We can rejoice in knowing that Dad has gone home to the One he spent his life serving and faithfully telling others about. After 90 years and one week on this earth, Pastor Lewis Allen Franklin has finished his race. He is with his Jesus. His family will miss his voice & the stories, his wisdom & strength, his laughter & jokes, his strong helping hands and maybe what we will miss the most is the exquisite sound of his mandolin. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 Normal Park, Huntsville, Texas. Lunch will follow, on location, for the family and friends.
Visitation & service details
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