Lorene "Tib" Nichols Franklin, 79, died Friday, November 4, 2005, in a local hospital.

A native of Macon County, she was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. She was the daughter of the late James Thaddeus and Martha Hodgin Nichols. She was married to the late Ray Radcliff Franklin who died in 1964 and was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Nichols Cabe who died in 1999; and a brother, Charles "Jack" Nichols who died in 2000. She was employed by Jamison's 5 & 10 cent store until it closed in 1981. Thereafter she worked at CR Industries until her retirement.

She is survived by three sons, Douglas "Raddy" Franklin and wife Freda of Asheville, Ronald Franklin of Gretna, VA, Ricky Franklin and wife Linda of Spencer, NY; a daughter, Frances Franklin Pohlenz of the home; five grandchildren, Jill and Anna Franklin, Jim Franklin, Nicolas Franklin and April King; one great granddaughter, Lexie; a sister, Nellie Nichols Jamison; a brother, Jim Nichols and wife Pearl; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 7, at Bethel United Methodist Church. The Rev. Al Beck and the Rev. Merrill Perkins will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at Macon Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 81 Bethel Church Road, Franklin, NC 28734 or Angel Hospice Foundation, PO Box 815, Franklin, NC 28744.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @www.maconfuneralhome.com