Mr. Franklin Delano Smith, 81 of Elkin, N.C. passed away Friday, October 10, 2014 at Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, N.C. Franklin was born near Elkin, NC to George Washington Smith, Sr. and Roseann Hayes Smith. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, earning two bronze service stars and both a Korean and a United Nations Service medal. After graduating from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. in 1958, he taught in the Wilkes County School System. Franklin then attended Wake Forest University School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor degree in 1964. Known as a fierce opponent in the courtroom and a passionate defender of his clients, he has been a member of the North Carolina Bar Association for 50 years. Franklin also had the honor of arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court. Franklin was a member of First Baptist Church of Elkin and served on the board of the Stone Mountain State Park. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, George W. Smith, Jr. and Harvey Smith. Franklin is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lena Whittington Smith; children, Julia Bolen and husband Lou Bolen of Tallahassee, Fla., Emily Cockerham and husband Van Cockerham of Winston-Salem, Katie Hagwood and husband Neil Hagwood of Elkin, and Andrea Miller and husband Don Miller of Greensboro; grandchildren Vivian Bolen, Sydnie Cockerham, Reece Hagwood, Riley Hagwood and Max Miller. Also surviving are brothers David Smith, Ira Eugene Smith and Bill Smith and sisters Blanche McCann and Magdalene Adams as well as many nieces and nephews. Franklin also leaves behind his beloved dog Gracie. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Shoaly Branch Baptist Church, 472 Shoaly Branch Church Road in Elkin, N.C. with Dr. Rick Bennett, Rev. Mark Smith and Mr. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends following the burial in Shoaly Branch Baptist Church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, N.C. 27017.
