Mr. M. Buford Franklin, 91, died Sunday, October 4, 2009. Born in Newberry County, he was a son of the late Benjamin Giffin and Augusta Pauline Dantzler Franklin. A 1937 graduate of Newberry High School, he attended Newberry College and graduated from Berry College in Rome, Ga. in 1949. He interrupted his education during WWII to work at the Charleston Navy Yard. Upon graduation, he worked at the Opportunity School (Columbia Trade School). He then began his 32 year professional career at the S.C. Department of Mental Health, retiring as a Certified Industrial Therapist in 1983. Mr. Franklin’s early church life began at Beth Eden Lutheran Church in Newberry, and he was an active member at St. Andrews Lutheran Church for over 50 years. He was a member of the St. Andrews Lutheran Men and the Ladies’ and Men’s Sunday School Class. He served as president of the St. Andrews Ruritan for 12 years and was a member of the Lower Richland Ruritan Club.

Funeral service for Mr. Franklin will be held 11 am Friday, October 9, 2009, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, with burial in St. Andrews Lutheran Church Cemetery, 501 St. Andrews Road. Family received friends from 6 until 8 pm on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Members of the St. Andrews Lutheran Men will serve as honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers are Darrell Caison, Jason Lesslie, Ryan Lesslie, Micah Miley, Matthew Young, and Milbourne Joye.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia Kell Franklin; children, Jon T. Franklin, of Jackson, Miss., Karen F. Caison (Robert), of Summerville, Ramon T. Franklin (Barbi), of Greer, Mary F. Young (Buddy), of Lexington, Lori F. Lesslie, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; grandchildren, Bonnie C. Miley (Micah), Darrell F. Caison, Cole T. Franklin, Ashley Y. Metcalf (Erik), Matthew F. Young (Heather), Jason F. Lesslie, Ryan T. Lesslie, Eric W. Lesslie; great–grandchild, Abigail T. Miley; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Jeannette Tolbert Franklin; second wife, Gladys Gardner Franklin; brothers, Luther, David, Daniel, Allen and Sam Franklin; sister, Annie Mayes F. Hazel.

Memorials may be made to the St. Andrews Lutheran Church Lift Fund, 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals. com.