Burnece Franklin

Funeral services for Mrs. Burnece "Burnie" Bussell Franklin of Cookeville will be held at 11a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home, with Bro. Jimmie Simpson and Ed Malone officiating. Interment will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time. Burnece passed away peacefully at Morningside of Cookeville on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. She was born April 12, 1918 in what is now White County to the late Arthur and Ritha Davis Bussell. She moved to Cookeville with her family as a young child and attended the Cookeville City Schools, graduating from there. Before moving to Cookeville, she attended Davis School in the 8th District, fondly known as "Wildcat School". She met her husband, L.H. (Lucian Henry) Franklin of Erin, TN, in Cookeville and they were married February 14, 1936. They moved to Detroit, MI, where L.H. worked for Ford Motor Company and lived there before deciding to move back to Cookeville in 1957 to be near family. Burnece excelled as a homemaker and loved entertaining family and friends. Her home was filled with needlepoint pieces she skillfully made. She had a love for antiques and this was evident in her home. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed sharing her recipes. One of her greatest joys was giving a home to stray dogs and other animals including two parakeets. She was a strong advocate for animal rights. She was quick witted and loved to laugh and make those around her laugh. Her family thought of her as "The Queen of the one liners". She was a charter member of West View Baptist Church, where she and her family attended and was active most of her life. Her father helped build the original sanctuary. She loved her church and her church family. Burnece traveled in the United States, but mostly to Florida with her husband, "the love of her life" and their animals. They lived in Florida during the winter months. She lost her husband L.H. in 1996 but quickly learned how to be a strong independent woman. She had many lifelong friends and was blessed by our Lord with a robust healthy and long life. She passed away in her sleep two months shy of her 101st birthday. On April 12, 2018, "Burnie", Burnece was awarded a plaque dedicating that day as "Burnece Bussell Franklin Day" due to her reaching the grand age of 100 years. A party was held at Morningside in her honor with a city official being present to help celebrate this day. Burnece is survived by her nieces and nephews, Cathy (Touch) Lamb, Linda (Jimmy) Daniel, Jimmy (Linda) Bussell, Renee (Jerry) Clark, Judy (Ron) Leforge, Jeni Wells, Brenda (Scott) Parkhurst, Debbie (Dennis) Green; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Cronk Bussell and Irene Franklin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, L.H. Franklin; her brothers, Paul Bussell, Hubert Bussell, and Fred Bussell; and sister, Ruby Bussell Franklin Kendall. Her family would like to thank the staff of Morningside of Cookeville for their love, friendship and wonderful care. Her family would also like to thank Avalon Hospice for their care and support. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cookeville Putnam County Animal Shelter, Happy Haven Home, or your charity of choice. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.