Cynthia Franklin

Cynthia L. Franklin, known to close friends and loved ones as Lorene was born to Taft Western (Father) and Callie Roberts (Mother) in Cookeville Tennessee on August 5th 1953. Lorene was the 6th of 10 children and one of four daughters. Lorene was baptized as a member of the McClellan Ave. Church of Christ at the age of 13. From an early age, Lorene displayed a love for the Lord that would be evident throughout her life.

Lorene attended the Darwin school in Cookeville beginning her formal education. After high school, Lorene attended Wilberforce University in Wilberforce Ohio. There as a participant in the C.L.I.M.B. program she would earn a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education. This would prove to be a defining moment in her life's work.

On May 29th 1970 Lorene gave birth to Jeremy Landon Western a happy baby boy. Later in the fall of 1974, Lorene and Jeremy would move to Dayton OH. Lorene would go on to join Residence Park Church of Christ soon after arriving in Dayton. Ever active in the church, her love of the Lord continued to grow under the leadership of brother Harold R. English. 

Upon her move to Dayton, Lorene began her career working with the Montgomery County welfare department and also the Civil Rights Commission. These roles and experiences led to a position with the Stillwater Center. Always one to push herself to achieve greater, Lorene would end her career as the director of human resources for the Stillwater center. Due to her hard work, determination and her love of traveling, Lorene decided to retire at the young age of 50.

While Jeremy is her only biological child, Lorene was a mother to many. This includes her niece Cindi Pitts and nephew Jonathan Western who she adopted and raised as her own children. Lorene was also immensely blessed to share a close relationship with her only grandson Trey Willis who lived with her for a period of time. The title of Nana was a badge she wore proudly among others such as mom, wife, sister, aunt or friend.

Retired life was never slow as Lorene loved traveling and expected to do that for the rest of her days. Little did she know the next chapter of her life was just around the corner. Lorene Western was courted by Sylvester J. Franklin for two years prior to their marriage on Aug. 19th 2006. Lorene & Sylvester spent 18 wonderful years married never far from each other and traveling as often as they could. On Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, at 5:29 PM, after a long hard fought battle, Lorene went on to be with the Lord. We will miss her, but she left us with lessons learned by how she lived her life. She was always determined, a world traveler and loved sports like judo. She was never afraid to try new things. She always had a flair for fashion and most importantly a deep love for the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her father Taft Western, her mother Callie B, her brothers William Howard Western (Bud), Leonard (Boogie), Taft Jr., John William (Pop), Albert Ray (Chino), Billy Ross Western, her sister Shirley Ann Myers and her nephew/ son Jonathan Western (Jon Jon). 

She is survived by her loving husband Sylvester J. Franklin, sisters Katie B. Sampler (Charlie), Mary Jane Johnson (John). Her Children Jeremy Western, Cynthia (Cindi) Pitts. Her grandchildren, Jeremy Landon (Trey) Willis, Cymone, Olivia, Taja, Nicole, Zia, Jada, Nathan and Jonathan Jr. 

Lorene has been blessed with SIX Great Grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends who loved & cherished her dearly

Visitation will be held Friday, November 22, 2024 from 10:30am to 11:30am with services beginning at 11:30am all at Residence Park Church of Christ, 4328 Hoover Ave, Dayton, OH 45417. Cynthia will be laid to rest at Dayton National Cemetery.