Thomas Franklin III

Picture it: 1961 -–So much was going in New Orleans, Louisiana: John Fitzgerald Kennedy was president of the United States of America, Jimmie H. Davis was governor of Louisiana, de Lesseps Story Morrison, Sr., known as Chep Morrison, was the 3-term mayor of New Orleans. Then on Thursday, April 6, 1961, Charity Hospital recorded at 9:31 AM, Thomas Joshua Franklin III, has arrived! Born to Thomas Jackson Jr. and Fran Franklin, Thomas was the eldest of five children: Terrance, Troy, Gregory, and Tanya. On Monday, March 21, 2022, Thomas Joshua Franklin III, surrounded by his devoted Mother and Father, family and friends, answered the call of the Almighty Father. Thomas began his educational pursuit at Marie Couvent and Rivers Frederick. He was a proud graduate of the 1979 class of McDonough #35 Senior High School. Realizing it is never too late to learn, Thomas enrolled at Southern University at New Orleans at the age of 55 and graduated with honors from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Thomas accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at One Methodist Church. Several years later, at the age of 15, Thomas joined Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized by the Rev. Moses S. Gordon II. Thomas pursued an intense spiritual study of God’s Word to be an approved workman. Thomas enjoyed life and his favorite time of the year was Mardi Gras. Thomas was a member of Ashanti and Krewe of Thebes Carnival Clubs. He served as King of the Popular Ladies Social and Pleasure Club, King of the Dumaine Street Gang in 1999 and one of the founding members of Krewe of Mwindo. Thomas rode in Zulu as a Shaka Zulu Float rider year after year. Thomas was preceded in death by his everloving grandmother, Mrs. Isabel (MaDear) Hall Franklin; grandmother, Martha Thibodeaux-Jackson; grandfathers, Frederick Franklin Sr and Thomas Jackson Sr father, Thomas Jackson Jr; brothers, Terrance, Troy and Gregory Franklin and sister, Cheryl Jackson-Lumar. Thomas is survived by his dedicated and devoted parents, Fran Franklin Javers and Robert Javers; sister, Tanya Franklin-Chatman (James); adopted son, Daniel Joseph Dorsey; uncle, Frederick Franklin Jr.; aunts, Cheryl Franklin-Stewart and Florence Franklin; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and dear friends. Relatives, friends, members of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Evergreen Baptist Church, Gospel Soul Children, Inc., Community Fellowship Mission Auxiliary of New Orleans and McDonogh #35 Senior High School Class of 1979 are invited to attend Musical and Commemorative Service on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Greater Evergreen Baptist Church, 2243 Clouet St., NOLA 70117. Visitation 4:00 pm and Musical will begin at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 2809 General Taylor St, NOLA 70115 at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Entombment follows at Mount Olivet Mausoleum. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook.