Mary Payne Franklin

Mary Payne Franklin passed away peacefully on Sept 12, 2024, at the remarkable age of 111 and a half. She was preceded in death by her husband, William L Franklin, her parents, Flora Shahan Payne and John T Payne, her sister, Stella Spicknall, and a niece, Mary Yurkovich. She is survived by her niece, Anne Spicknall, Rockville, Md, and a nephew, John Spicknall, Terre Haute, Ind. Mary was recognized this summer as "The Oldest Resident in the State of Md" in a story covered by the Baltimore Sun. Mary was born Feb 3, 1913, in Atallah, Ala. In 1920 her family moved to Hyattsville, Md. She graduated from Wilson Teacher's College, Washington, DC and taught English for several years. She married Bill Franklin, a Foreign Service Officer, in 1938 and they lived in Fairfax, Va until she and Bill moved to Berlin, Germany, as Bill was assigned to the U.S. Consulate there. They had many happy years in Germany and returned with great "Germany" stories and memories. When Bill retired, they bought The Wharf House, Centreville, and worked on restoring it to its original beauty. After Bill's death in 1991, Mary was active in a local bridge group with her Centreville contemporaries. Later, she moved to Heron Point where she resided for 30 plus years, outliving anyone at the time. She continued with bridge at Heron Point and also crossword puzzles. She was an expert! When she turned age 100, Scales and Tales, a bird and reptile teaching group from the Dept Natural Resources, presented a program at Heron Point in celebration of her birthday. All of Heron Point was invited and it was quite a day for everyone attending. Mary was an avid reader, enjoying three books at one time without using bookmarks well after she was 100. She always knew her spot. She had a love for poems naming many authors and quoting their works. She was a most faithful Orioles fan but also liked basketball because "the ball is easier to see." Mary had a special interest in antiques and after Bill died, she bought an auction house in Georgetown, De operating it for several years. When she moved to Heron Point, her entire third floor at home was filled with books piled high with only small paths to walk. She truly loved all of her books and had bookcases built floor to ceiling in her new apartment to fit as many books as possible. During Covid, Mary moved to a friend's house in Kingstown, where she thrived on all of the personal attention, especially fire trucks visiting for each birthday celebration. She continued scrabble and crossword puzzles (especially every Thurs with Tom Martin) even on the day she passed. Mary had a wonderful appetite, great visitors and enjoyed her life, never mentioning to not go on. She had special care and love from Beverly Emore who called her "MomMom" for over 34 years and all of her family, especially Beverly’s grandchildren, and Linda Carroll who aided in her decisions as POA for more years than that. Mary especially loved Kylie, "the daughter she never had" who visited for 19 years from the age of 3 months. We lovingly remember her as quite a character, correcting our English, thanking you kindly for any assistance, and being tactfully outspoken. It was easy to think of a different century and share her memories. When she spoke of earlier days, she was always respectful and polite, as all were taught. It was an honor to be part of her life. Celebration of Life will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 301 S Liberty St., Centreville, Md 11 a.m. on Tues, Sept 24. The service will be in the church with the reception immediately following upstairs in the church hall. All are welcome. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, Mary would like it if you thanked St. Paul's Episcopal Church or Compass Regional Hospice, Centreville, Md. Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com

Mary Payne Franklin

February 3, 1913 - September 12, 2024