Margaret Louise Franklin-Griffin

Margaret Louise Franklin-Griffin, affectionately known as Louise, and “Weezy” by close friends, was the fourth of seven children born to William Joseph Franklin and Alice Roosevelt

Hogue-Franklin. Her paternal line is direct descendants of the African Refugees of the War of 1812 who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They relocated to Portland, Maine in the 1890s, and have been rooted in the Roxbury area of Boston, Massachusetts for nearly a century. Being brought up in a musically inclined family, Louise had a fondness for listening to the soulful sounds of Jazz, R&B, and Gospel. Her father was a pianist, and her brothers would serenade the family whenever they had the chance to.

She truly enjoyed growing up in a close-knit neighborhood on Ruggles Street, which included attending local public schools, participating in community-based programs, and worship at Twelfth Baptist Church. Sadly, three days after her 9th birthday, she and her siblings lost their mother at the age of 36. Adamant about keeping the children together, their father achieved this goal with help from his sisters and kind-hearted neighbors. Louise was the first offspring to become a high school graduate receiving her diploma in 1948 from the High School of Practical Arts.

Reflecting on memorable moments about her formative and young adult years is something Louise cherished immensely. One of her fondest memories was participating in the Junior Elks drum and bugle corps, Mrs. Medley, who resided nearby, inspired her to pursue this opportunity. In fact, Louise also babysat for her son, Phil Medley who became an outstanding music composer. He’s credited for his composition “Twist and Shout” recorded by the Isley Brothers and the Beatles.

Louise also loved sharing stories about growing up in the same neighborhood with Reverend Dr. Michael E. Haynes, Pastor Emeritus of Twelfth Baptist Church, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, of the Nation of Islam, and others from all walks of life. In later years she looked forward to reuniting with former childhood friends and acquaintances. at special annual events. Louise was indeed a proud daughter of Roxbury throughout her lifetime. Upon reaching middle age, she attended Roxbury Community College and earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Prior to pursuing her career as a paraprofessional with the Boston Public Schools, Louise held positions as a sales clerk and clerical worker. While briefly living in New York in the early 1950s, she was hired to organize display cases for Vera Scarves. This was something she also used to reminisce about occasionally. Louise served as a teacher’s assistant and librarian at the elementary level during her tenure with the Boston Public Schools; she retired in 2000.

She resided in the Franklin Field Housing development for many years before relocating to Duluth Georgia (outside of Atlanta) in 2011. After suffering a stroke seven years later, she lived with her youngest daughter and her family in Suwanee (GA). In spite of subsequent mobility issues, Louise was able to prevail with self-determination and dignity. Overcoming such

obstacles during her lifetime was evident in her inner strength and ability to succeed wholeheartedly. She passed away peacefully on September 9, 2023 at the age of 92. Her wings were ready but our hearts were not.

Cherishing the life and legacy of our dearly departed includes her children: Dr. Tammarrah Lee, Darryl Lee, and Sharna Brown, and son-in-law Keith Brown, 8 grandchildren: Meeka

Lee-Tambe, Darryl Jones, Adam Hayes, Shakil Brown, Ashia Brown, Timia Harold, Ahsan Brown, and Kemar Brown, and 5 great-grandchildren: Robert, Bryan, and Camille

Tambe-Takaw, Adam Hayes, Jr., and Ahmani Hayes.

She also leaves a stepdaughter, Carol Wilson, her children: Amber Wilson, Derek Wilson, and Nicole Dickerson, step-son, James Griffin, his children: Jermaine Griffin, and Jamie Griffin as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband, James Paul Griffin Sr. She was also preceded in death by her parents as well as six siblings William Franklin Jr. Irene Franklin, Donald Franklin, Pauline Bennett, Melvin Franklin, and Dorothea Price.

In life, we loved you dearly In death, we love you still.

In our hearts, you hold a place, No one else will ever fill.

Lovingly submitted, The Family

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Louise Franklin-Griffin, please visit our floral store.