Clifton Vaughns Franklin was born September 12, 1936, in Dallas, Texas to Simon Clifton Franklin and Jo Anna Vaughns Franklin. Cliff accepted belief in Jesus Christ at an early age at Magnolia CME Church in Dallas, Texas and was fully immersed in water baptism in 1962 at True Lee Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastoral Care of the late Rev. R. L. Parish in Dallas, Texas.
Cliff exhibited parliamentarian skills in various organizations and tenure in his career. In the early 1960’s he started, “Franklin Security Services” and was fully employed as a commissioned, contract Security Officer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In 1969 Clifton received his valid Certification from the State of Texas, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and retired as a “Reserve Officer” with the Dallas County Sherriff’s Department.
Cliff received his early education from Julia C. Fraizer (DISD), St. Anthony Catholic School and graduated from high school in 1956 from St. Peter’s Academy all located in Dallas, Texas. He attended the Dallas Police Academy and received Certification in 1969 from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. Cliff was an outstanding marksman exhibiting professional skills with a pistol or rifle. We were concerned with him living alone during his later life status and was asked, “Cliff, if somebody came into your residence to rob you, what would you do”? He responded, “I feel so sorry for them”. “Laugh out Loud”!
Cliff is preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Anna Franklin; a beautiful and loving daughter, Catrina Franklin; siblings (brothers) James Whitlow, Andrew Whitlow and Rex Franklin.
Among many family members and friends to cherish memories: One son, Clifton Franklin, Jr of the DFW Metroplex, four grandchildren, Babie Alexis Sparks (Jabron) of DFW Metroplex, Diamond Durham of Houston, Texas, Keauna Franklin and Clifton III of the DFW Metroplex; two sisters, Mattie Lucille Franklin and Judy Franklin McDonald of the DFW Metroplex; seven great grandchildren,
numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great neices and nephews and great great great neices and nephews, special cousins Dorothy Masterson of the DFW Metroplex and Mary Kathryn Holley Davis of McKinney, Texas and a huge host of cousins, relatives, neighbors and friends.
