Obituary of Virginia A. Franklin

Mrs. Virginia A. Franklin, 86, of Amsterdam, NY, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2019 at St. Mary's Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.  Born on October 27, 1932 in Canandaigua, NY to Samuel and Viola (Chappell) Walker, she attended Canandaigua Academy, graduating class of 1950. Virginia often spoke fondly of her grandma Walker (Inez Vivian Hathaway) whom she attended church with as a child.  She was united in marriage to Lowell W. Franklin on December 19, 1951 in Waco, Texas. They shared 57 wonderful years together until his passing on May 21, 2008.

Virginia was enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1951-1953. After being discharged, she was primarily a homemaker. She proudly raised her three children in various places throughout the United States and overseas as an Air Force family. Once the family settled down in Tribes Hill, she was employed by Montgomery County, Ritter Chemical Company, and Miller’s Clothing Store, each for several years throughout her lifetime. Virginia also volunteered with The Community Hospice for several years, as well as Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America.

She enjoyed board games, such as Yahtzee, and Monopoly. She especially loved Bingo.  Virginia was known to travel to Turning Stone to play Bingo, no matter what obstacles were thrown her way. She was also known to be a cut-throat Monopoly player, earning the name “Greedy Granny” from her grandchildren. She always managed to soothe their losses by baking cookies. Baking, especially around the Holidays, was a passion of Virginia’s.

A woman of great faith and community, Virginia was a member of First Baptist Church in Amsterdam for many years. She was also a member of the Tribes Hill Seniors, and often visited the Horace J. Inman Center, especially for Bingo.

Her loving family includes her children, Lydia (Don) Roberts of Halfmoon, Laura Franklin of Tribes Hill, and Lowell (Pati) Franklin Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; her grandchildren, William (Suzanne) Davis of Delmar, Schonna (Charles) Dungan of Virginia, and Windy (Tony Jr.) Isais; her great-grandchildren, Cameron, Taylor, and Rylee Davis; Caila, Thomas, Joshua, and Andrew Dungan; Shealyn, Tony III, and Bryce Isais; and her great-great granddaughter Roya Houck; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Virginia is predeceased by her husband, Lowell Franklin Sr.; her parents, Samuel and Viola Walker; as well as her siblings, Samuel Walker, Genevieve Senglaub, Isabel Monaco, and Charles Walker.

Funeral services will be conducted on October 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam with Reverend Richard C. Klueg presiding.   Interment will follow privately at Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on October 21, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made in Virginia’s memory to the First Baptist Church of Amsterdam, NY, 479 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010.  Please visit Virginia's guestbook online at www.brbsfuneral.com