Christine "Chris" Lucinda Franklin

Christine “Chris” Lucinda Franklin, of Groesbeck, passed away in Mexia, TX. on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at age 80. Christine was born November 1, 1938, the only child of Henry Morgan and Helen Howard Morgan in Thiebs, IL. where she grew up.   Chris met a young man while buying popcorn at a drive-in movie in Mitchell, IL, when she was 17 and he was 18.   He fell in love with her right away and after dating a year, Christine was united in marriage with James “Jim” Lee Franklin.   They started life together as a very young couple with nothing but his ability to work hard with his mechanical skills.  The first of their six children was born one year and one month later.  Chris was a young wife and mother but also a helper to Jim in his mechanic work.   All their life together, Christine was a valuable help to Jim in his shops, as the secretary, running the shop and writing up tickets. At 19 years old, they bought their first house in South Roxanna, IL. and lived there until 1969.  Jim did well in the mechanic business and they “upgraded” to a beautiful location  in East Alton, IL.  Their move to Texas came about when Jim was on a job site in Magnolia, TX for  Ingersall Rand Co.  While in the area he saw some beautiful housing lots he really like with pine trees, so he bought one right then, and flew Christine down later to take a look.    They built next door in Waller and he had a mechanic shop and a race car shop in Magnolia.   While he was the race car driver, Chris was also active with him in the racing events, serving as the secretary-treasurer in the Texas Division of the Pro-Gas Association.  They later moved to Groesbeck where Jim has a repair business. Though she was a tiny little woman, she was his right-hand helper for all Jim’s life, until her health began to fail the past 5 years.    One thing she really enjoyed in life was buying and wearing jewelry, with rings on each finger.   Chris and Jim lost a son, Michael “Mikey” Franklin at 18 months old, and Chris will be buried beside him in the Wanda Cemetery, located in South Roxanna, IL., where they first lived as a young couple.   She was also preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, James Lee “Jim” Franklin of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law, Cary Lee and Barbara Franklin of Mexia; twin sons, Donald “Donnie” Franklin of Bedias, TX. and Ronald “Ronnie” Franklin of Washington state; daughter, Terrie “Sissy” Cole of Ramsey, IL; daughter, Barbara Ann “Barbie” Franklin of East Alston, IL.; and 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.    Also, she is survived by Jim’s brother, two sisters and their spouses, and nieces and nephews.