February 9, 1937 – June 10, 2025

Alma (Gooden) Franklin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and faithful servant of the Lord, peacefully entered eternity on June 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Alma was born on February 9, 1937, to James and Minnie (Shores) Gooden in Alberta, Alabama. The family migrated to Ohio in 1944. She attended Akron Public Schools. Alma graduated from East High School in 1956. She married Thomas Franklin on November 22, 1958. Two children were born to this union, Mark and Tracey.  Alma started her career in the healthcare industry. She was required to work on Sunday’s and frequently had to miss church. She prayed and asked God to give her a job so she and her children could attend church. Alma always testified that God answered her prayers in an instant! She was hired with Akron National Bank, better known today as KeyBank. During her banking career, Alma advanced through several career positions such as Bank Teller, Loan Officer, Account Representative, Client Sales Specialist, and Private Client Banker. After 27 years, Alma decided it was time to retire from KeyBank.

Alma was a faithful member of The First Apostolic Faith Church, now known as The Faith Place.  She served on the Usher Board, Greeters Committee, Sunday School Secretary, Women’s Choir, Finance Committee, and assisted the Family Life Group Ministry. Alma was active in doing missionary work such as sending cards, visiting the sick, and calling those in need of comfort and support.

When Alma was not helping others at church, she could be found frequently landscaping her yard with beautiful plants, flowers, and decorative artwork. Her yard was always immaculate which reflected her love for nature and the outdoors.

Alma loved exploring various destinations and beach vacations. Her favorite places to visit were Los Angeles, California and Ocean City, Maryland. She spent hours at the beach “people watching”, eating funnel cakes and napping under the warm sunshine.  She found joy and peace admiring God’s creation.

Alma’s dedication to her family was exceptional! She loved family visits and telephone calls with her children, grand-children, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ongoing, Alma offered Godly wisdom, advice, correction and most importantly love.

She was preceded by parents James and Minnie (Shores) Gooden, brother Charles James Gooden.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy her devoted family, husband Thomas Franklin; children, Mark (Tonia) Franklin and Tracey (Rodney) Griggs; sisters, Ethel “Jeanette” Smith, and Sandra (Lafayette) Radcliff; grandchildren Briannah (Bryon II) Black, Marlena (Johnathon) Starks, Moriah Griggs, Mark Franklin II, Savannah Griggs, and McKenzie Franklin; great-grandchildren Elijah, Ezra, and Paxton, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, prayer partner Mary Stanley, and many, many Faith Place friends-too numerous to list.

To say she will be missed is an understatement. Her absence leaves a void that only Heaven can fill. Yet we rejoice, knowing that Alma is now in the presence of the Lord. One of her favorite scriptures was I Corinthians 15:58 KJV “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”.