Sheila Franklin

Sheila K. Franklin "She She" of Dayton, OH passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2024. Sheila was born on January 15, 1950 in Dayton Ohio. She resided in the area her entire life. She grew up in the little town of Potsdam along with her older brother Jack and younger sister Linda. When Jack joined the service they moved to Huber Heights and she had to transfer from West Milton High school to Wayne High school. Sheila met her first husband Ron in Huber Heights in 1966 and they married in 1968 and welcomed their only child, Kelly in September of 68. Sheila spent most of her early adult years raising Kelly and making their house a home. Before Sheila and Ron divorced in 1983 Sheila worked at Elder Beerman Dept store where she met her best friends Birdie Fetters, Sandy Fetters, David Robison and Linda Waldrop. They traveled many places throughout the years and made great memories together. Sheila treasured their friendship.

After leaving Elder Beerman Sheila started her banking career at Citizens Federal Bank, now known as Fifth Third Bank. In 1986 her daughter Kelly married Brian and they moved to Texas. In 1987 Sheila became a mamaw for the first time to a granddaughter named Amanda. Sheila, Sandy and David drove to Texas to meet Amanda when she was only 4 weeks old. In 1992 her grandson Matthew was born. Luckily Kelly and Brian lived in Ohio again and she got to be in the room to see Matthew take his first breath. In 1993 Sheila married Duff Franklin. They enjoyed going to Indian Lake to fish and camping in Southern Ohio. In 2014 Sheila retired from Fifth Third Bank after 28 years of working there. She made many wonderful friends while there. After her retirement she got to take trips with her best friends and in 2016, thanks to Linda, she and the entire immediate family enjoyed a wonderful trip to Hawaii. In 2017 Sheila got a new puppy named Max and he became her pride and joy.

In 2020 her health started slowing declining. She was diagnosed with Parkinson disease. By 2022 dementia was starting. Mid 2023 she started rapidly declining. November 5, 2023 she was taken to the hospital after an episode and she never was able to return to her home. Sheila resided at St Leonards Health and Rehab facility until her passing. Even though Ron and Sheila had divorced many years ago, the Lawson family always considered Sheila to still be a part of the family. During her stay at the hospital and nursing home June, Julie, Neal and Marv visited her. Ron was a constant visitor to Sheila. He sat with Sheila daily for many hours and helped Kelly as much as possible. Kelly would like to thank Birdie and Sandy for all of their help taking care of Sheila and sitting with her for hours at a time.

Sheila loved her Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals. Sheila's daughter and grandkids are Michigan fans so they loved the rivalry between OH State and Michigan and had many great times teasing each other over it. Sheila's family and friends meant the world to her. She made so many memories through the 74 years she was with us. A few of her favorite foods and beverages were Bud Light, Wine, Tacos ( mmmm…), Panera Bagels, and Cinnamon rolls (only from Aldi). Sheila baked the best chocolate chip cookies! She loved to cook and did it well! (her daughter did not inherit that talent) Sheila will be missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving her loss are her loving daughter Kelly Combs and her children with Brian Combs, Amanda Martin (Kacy), Matthew Combs (Gabbi), great grandchildren Payton, Grayson, Caroline and Lucas. Her husband Duff Franklin and mother in law Patricia Franklin. Sister Linda Holloway, nephew David Holloway (Lisa), Brother Jack Myers (Mary Ann), the father of her daughter Kelly, Ron Lawson, her dog Max and many wonderful friends and family members. Sheila is preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Jeans Surles (Clifford), her father Robert Myers (Theola) and brother in law William Holloway.

In honor of her favorite teams and her love for football we encourage you to wear your favorite football team attire to say your final goodbye. Family and friends are welcome to gather on Friday, February 2, 2024 at Newcomer Funeral Home located at 4104 Needmore Road, Dayton, OH, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, with a Celebration of Sheila's Life beginning at 7:00pm. In honor of Sheila's memory, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Association.

Shelia's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

To share a memory of Sheila or to leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.