Rev. Joseph Freeman Franklin

Reverend Joseph Freeman Franklin was born in Washington, DC on September 29, 1945, to Treny Freeman Franklin and Andrew Franklin. He had four brothers—Raymond, Andrew, Terry, and Levi, and three sisters—Ruth, Treny and Fern. Raised in Fairmont Heights, Maryland, Joseph was educated in Prince George’s County Public Schools where he graduated from Fairmont Heights High School in 1963. Although he was a recipient of a math scholarship, he did not attend college until much later in life, attending the Washington Bible College in Lanham, Maryland. At the age of thirteen years old Joseph told his childhood sweetheart, Linda Delores, that he was going to marry her. And on November 26, 1966, the two became one in marriage at the Sylvan Vista Baptist Church in Huntsville, MD. Together they raised four children. Joseph wanted to go into the military by way of the U.S. Air Force. However, a baseball injury, which resulted in a metal plate implant, did not allow him to follow this path. So, he became a police officer. But on his first day on the job, he quit because the department would not allow him to attend a family member’s funeral. In August of 1966 Joseph began his service and career with the United States Postal Service where he was a Mail Carrier Technician for forty-four (44) years and eight months. When he retired in 2010, he had 2,003 hours of sick leave. Joseph accepted Christ as his Savior as a young adult. Later he would be ordained a Deacon at Sylvan Vista Baptist Church where he and his wife and two daughters found their first church home together. Hearing and answering the call to preach he was licensed and ordained to the gospel ministry at Park View Baptist Church in Palmer Park, Maryland. Rev. Franklin was passionate about his family members having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only did he physically transport his nieces and nephews and encouraged their involvement, but he was consistent in his belief of not leaving anyone behind. He often talked about getting everyone he loved in one building together and flying up to heaven. When his mother accepted Christ as her Savior, he walked her down the aisle. Joseph loved his family and did his best to share the gospel, “the good news” of Jesus Christ with them. Reverend Franklin had a passion for youth ministry early on. And while serving at Park View Baptist Church, he formed a young men’s basketball team. Pursuing youth ministry, Reverend Franklin accepted the appointment of the “Minister of Tender Ages” when the Reverend Andrew J. Allen called to offer him the position. He brought with him two daughters and one son and a couple years later his family grew to one more with a third daughter. And he picked up his nieces and nephews and got them involved in the ministry of the youth church. He used his own personal vehicle to pick up many neighborhood and church children impacting more families than can be counted. Reverend Franklin served as the youth pastor of the First Baptist Church of Deanwood, Washington DC for 30 years. During his tenure the Youth Church flourished and evolved, and attendance was always overflowing. The music ministry was central to this growth. He formed four new choirs, two of which he directed. The other two were eventually directed and accompanied by three of his children. One of the choirs, Candlelight, reached 100 plus in membership and became the youth mass choir. He also facilitated the beginning of additional youth ministries, like musicals, plays, a step team and dance ministry. Under his leadership, there were also fellowship and discipleship opportunities like wake-a-thons, lock-ins, daytime vacation bible school that not only involved the youth FBCD, but also reached out to churches across the metropolitan area. Rev. Franklin made sure the youth were active members and participants in the church as well as the community. The youth participated in outreach ministry to Washington Home for the Blind, Cedar Knoll and Oak Hill Youth Detention Center, and many Senior Centers, and feeding the hungry. In addition to his own active membership with Progressive National Baptist Convention and American Baptist Churches of the South, Rev. Franklin made sure the youth were active members and participants in their national youth conferences. At home, he made sure the youth were thoroughly trained to serve inside the church in every capacity and outside the church in the community. Through all these experiences he developed leaders and ministers. Reverend Franklin served as Youth Pastor under four Senior Pastors and retired from youth ministry in 2004. During a pause in Reverend Franklin’s tenure at First Baptist Church of Deanwood, he served at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church in Bladensburg, Maryland and created a drama/musical youth group called the “Pickwick Players.” Reverend Franklin did not allow the pause to keep him from fulfilling the call of youth ministry. He embraced his community and created space for the neighborhood children to learn about Jesus through musical theatric performances. Joseph was a robust singer and youth choir director. A serious teacher of Scripture favoring extensive teaching on the Book of Revelation. He loved spending time with his family at the movie theater and many restaurants. Eating out was always an event and his favorites were seafood—especially crabs and gumbo. Joseph enjoyed many sports and was a lifelong Washington Redskins (Washington Commanders) football team and Orioles Baseball team fan. Reverend Joseph Freeman Franklin Sr. leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Linda Delores Manago Franklin; his children Josette Lillie Franklin Elliott, Linda Grace Franklin Barber (Craig Barber), Joseph Freeman Franklin, II (Cheryl Rousey Franklin) and Ruth Naomi Franklin; his grandchildren Jasmine Lyne Franklin, Lydia Zipporah Cuffy, Judah Lamar Franklin, Jeremiah Joseph Franklin, Joy Leilani Franklin, and Madison Erica Elliott; his great grandchild Alani Marie Sencion; his youngest sister Fern Franklin; his god-daughters Ninochika Raymona Twitty and Celestie Anita Tarrance Garland, and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins and extended family.

Rev. Joseph Freeman Franklin

September 29, 1945 - May 6, 2024

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