Wonza A. Franklin

Wonza Miller Alderman Franklin, age 101, was reunited with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, November 12, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee. Wonza was born at home on her family’s farm on January 31, 1922 in Clinton, North Carolina to parents Ira Deams Alderman, tobacco farmer, and Frances Ann (Fannie) Hobbs Alderman, Dietitian for Edwards Military Institute. She grew up in Salemburg, North Carolina, attending the Pineland School for Girls where she became an accomplished pianist. After graduating from high school at age 16 and completing Pineland Junior College’s Secretarial School in 1940, she moved to Richmond, Virginia where she met and married the love of her life, Army Air Force First Lieutenant and Pilot Richard Edward (Dick) Franklin in 1945. They spent the next 46 years together until his passing in 1991. They established several homes and raised two daughters in Richmond, Newport News and Manassas, Virginia. Wonza spent the majority of her working career in Human Resources for Dow Chemical Company in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she was employed for 17 years. Wonza and Dick were married in Richmond’s First Baptist Church and were members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Churches in Newport News, Trinity Episcopal Church in Manassas and Christ Episcopal Church in Blacksburg. Over the years Wonza taught Sunday School, served on Altar Guilds, and participated in many women’s ministries, including faithfully preparing and serving numerous Lenten luncheons while a member of Trinity. Wonza was an avid bridge player for most of her life. She also enjoyed gardening and flower arranging as well as reading, and various forms of needlework including machine sewing, counted cross stitch, crocheting, needlepoint, appliqué, tatting, quilting and cutwork embroidery. In addition to her parents and husband, Wonza was predeceased by her sister Frances Alderman Farrar, brother-in-law Walter Gaston (Doug) Farrar, both of Richmond, nephew Jimmy Getz of Mechanicsville, Virginia and niece Carroll Hunt Rogers of Suffolk, Virginia. She is survived by her immediate family, now residing in Franklin as well as Nashville, Tennessee: daughters Brenda Jean Franklin, Marsha Franklin Croushorn, (son-in-law Kenneth Michael Croushorn); three grandchildren: Mark Edward Croushorn, Melissa Alderman Croushorn, James Matthew Croushorn, (granddaughter-in-law Tiphani Engman Croushorn); three great-grandchildren: Samson Judge Croushorn, Aurora Jade Croushorn and Lyra Merci Croushorn. Wonza has three surviving nieces: Margaret Ann Farrar Getz of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Debbie Farrar Bowman (nephew Johnny Bowman) of Richmond, Virginia, Sherri Franklin Hunt of Suffolk, Virginia; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. The Franklin family would like to thank Morning Pointe of Franklin and Gentiva Hospice for faithfully serving Wonza each day for several years with their love and care.

Wonza A. Franklin

January 31, 1922 - November 12, 2023