Mary (Frances) Franklin Harris, of Bedford, Virginia, departed this life early Friday morning, June 22, 2018 at the home of her sister, Odell Franklin in Dillwyn, Virginia.  She was born on April 11, 1944 to the late Dudley and Lillie Cousins Franklin of Amherst, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Thomas Harris, Sr; two brothers, Richard and Clarence Franklin; six uncles Charlie Cousins, Roy Cousins, Kenny Franklin, William Taft Franklin, McKinley Franklin, Jack Dempsey Franklin, and one aunt, Mildred Cousins.

She was known as Frances to her friends and family she joined Galilee Baptist Church of Gladstone, VA at an early age and served as a member for many years; she later joined Sharon Baptist Church and the Gospel Chorus in 1965.   She retired from Carriage Hill Nursing home after 25 years as a nursing assistant.  She was a loving and devoted mother to her five children, Frances was also known as the community seamstress and enjoyed her flowers.

She leaves to cherish loving memories: five children, Joe Thomas Harris, Jr. of Rustburg, Virginia; Ada H. Farmer of Lynchburg, Virginia, Arlene  (husband Mark) Fuller, Sr., of Big Island, Virginia, Donald R. (wife Natalie) Harris of Glasgow, Virginia, and Carrie (husband Heath) Anderson of White Plains, Md.;  13 grandchildren; Dexter Harris, Skylar Harris, Savannah Harris, Shannon F. Alston, Ashley Farmer, Kameron Farmer; Mark Fuller, Jr., Xavier Fuller, Joshua A. Fuller, Jade D. Harris, Jalik D. Harris, Leah M. Anderson, and Garrett M. Anderson; 16 great grandchildren; three sisters, Odell Franklin of Dillwyn, Virginia; Bernice (husband  Fred) Babbs of Oxford, North Carolina; Jacqueline (husband Ruben) Lerma of Victorville, California; one brother William Franklin of Roanoke, VA;  two uncles, Douglas MacArthur Cousins, Charlottesville, Va., Jessie (wife Edna) Cousins of Madison Heights, VA; one Aunt Katherine Ferguson, Amherst, VA; a devoted sister in law, Susie Hamilton of Lynchburg, VA; one brother in law, Charles Hurt, Sr., of   Big Island, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 1:00pm at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church (Big Island, VA.) Interment will follow in Galilee Baptist Church Cemetery (180 Old Galilee Rd. Gladstone, VA. 24553.) The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Friends may view on Friday from 1-8pm in the Bedford Funeral Home Chapel.

Weep Not For Me

Weep not for me though I have gone

Into that gentle night

Grieve if you will, but not for long

Upon my soul's sweet flight

I am at peace, my soul's at rest

There is no need for tears

For with your love I was so blessed

For all those many years

There is no pain, I suffer not

The fear is now all gone

Put now these things out of your thoughts

In your memory I live on

Remember not my fight for breath

Remember not the strife

Please do not dwell upon my death

But celebrate my life