Ellen Byrd Franklin

Mrs. Ellen Byrd Franklin, age 73, peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on Friday, March 6, 2026. Born as the seventh child to the late Jesse Byrd and Ellen Smith Byrd, she was raised with strong values of faith, love, and family that guided her throughout her life. Ellen confessed Christ as her personal Savior at an early age in Kenner, Louisiana. On March 22, 1969, she married Malcolm Franklin Sr. and became a longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, where she was a devoted member of Theodore First United Methodist Church.

Ellen dedicated more than 30 years to her work as an educator before retiring in 2016 to spend more time with her family. She is remembered for her steadfast commitment to her faith, her church community, and the people she loved.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Malcolm Franklin Sr.; her two children, Malcolm (Tiffany) Franklin Jr. and Nequette (Kimberly) Franklin-Benjamin; her grandchildren, Jewlinda Franklin, Micha Franklin, Jasmine Taylor, and Nevaeh Maye; and her great-grandchildren, Khaleel Franklin-Tolbert, Jhaleel Franklin-Tolbert, and Taylen Howze. She is also survived by her sisters Alice Toussaint, Estelle (Alfonse) Eugene, Irma (Kenny) Allen, and Shirley Byrd; her brother Leamos Byrd; her brother-in-law Milton Franklin; and her sisters-in-law Shirley Franklin, Denise Franklin, and Marzieh Hashemi.

Ellen was preceded in death by her sister Gwendolyn Craft, her brothers Claude (Mattie) Reece-Shot, James Commodore, Jessie Byrd Jr. (Ramona Byrd), and Willie Byrd (Girtie Byrd), and her grandson Malcolm Samuel Franklin. She will be deeply missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish her love and kindness.