Howard Franklin, son of the late Corine O'Neal and Earnest Leaphart was born December 31, 1943, in Lexington South Carolina. He departed this life on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Lexington Medical Center.

Howard was raised by his late grandmother, Sara Franklin. As a young boy, Howard attended Lexington Rosenwald School in Lexington. Howard faithfully attended St. Paul Baptist Church where he formally served as a Trustee. He enjoyed attending church and loved the Lord!

Howard was known to be a hard worker. He served the Lexington community while working at BI-LO grocery store for over 30 years as a butcher. Many say he was the best butcher in town! Howard was known to be a stellar dresser; he loved his clothes, and he also loved his cars. He was given a red and black charger by his Uncle Betty and the car ended up with the name "The Bull".

As a young man, he enjoyed going to baseball games and drag-strips with his best buds, Craig Byrd, Randall Byrd, Clifton Gardner, and Clifton Mickens. His favorite college football team was the Clemson Tigers!

Howard was preceded in death by his former wife, Ermanise Franklin; one daughter, Renate Davis, three brothers, James, Henry, and Harry Goodwin; and two sisters, Dorothy and Martha Goodwin. He leaves to cherish his memories, six daughters: Detra Jones, Marcedios Davis, Jocquelyne Holmes (Fayetteville NC), Allison Way, Jemelah Sheree Franklin, Audreanna Summers and a son Ricky Way; his brother, Johnny Lee Goodwin and his sisters Ann Givens (Oceanside, CA) and Annette Needom. He leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and other relatives. Howard loved children and would always be found loving and nurturing any child who crossed his path.

Howard was a loving dad, grandfather, uncle, brother and a pillar to the Franklin/Goodwin family and he will be missed dearly. God decided to release him from his earthly vessel here on earth and brought him into His glorious presence, however, we realize for those who die in Christ, it is a true fact that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We love you Howard, but we know that God loves you best. We will miss you down here, but we will see you again in our heavenly home.