Linda Joyce (Witcher) Franklin

Linda's Story

Linda Joyce (Witcher) Franklin, 68, was called to eternal rest Monday, November 21, 2022, at Trinity

Health Muskegon Hospital, surrounded by her immediate family. Linda was the oldest child born to the late James and Mattie (Wilson) Witcher in Camden, Arkansas. Her parents, Reverend James, and Princella (Burse) Witcher, raised her and her sisters to know and understand our Lord and Savior. Linda accepted Christ at an early age with baptism in Mona Lake by Reverend Phifer. She was a lifelong member at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Linda was an active and faithful servant for the Lord. She was superintendent of the Sunday School, Member of the Usher Board, Member of the Women Intermediate Auxiliary, Director of the senior, cherub, and youth choir, deaconess, and Sunday school teacher. Linda was a songbird and would rock the church especially when she sang Dottie’s People song, “God Can.” Linda was a worker for the Lord and enjoyed it. She later became a member of New Light Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Demetrio Dockery.

Linda graduated from Muskegon Heights Public Schools in 1972. She was gainfully employed at Goodwill Industries as a rehabilitation trainer until her retirement. This did not stop Linda as she opened her loving home to raise more children. Not only did she raise her children, but she was also active in assisting her nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children. The Franklin’s house was always inviting if you could get in and find a seat. She took on the task of being a foster parent. Almost every child she brought into her home became one of her children, and she adopted them. She later found a passion for designing jewelry. She dedicated an entire room to jewelry making, and she would sell them in various stores across Muskegon. She enjoyed creating orange and black jewelry for Muskegon Heights Homecoming. She would put everyone to work before the big day, making sure each piece of jewelry had a tiger. She was the telephone bandit with communication, she always checked in on her children.

Linda's house always had foot traffic. There was never a day that someone had not stopped by to visit,

or children were running in and out of the door. She loved to cook every day and sat on her porch repeatedly waving at a passerby, asking, "Who was that?" She enjoyed riding around Muskegon, fishing with Jessie, sitting at the lake with ice cream, and spending time with family. She was funny, and she enjoyed her family gatherings. Her grandchildren all wanted their birthday parties at her house, and she always obliged them with music, dancing, and tacos. Her nieces and nephews were all her children. She treated everyone equally, including Rolondo, Brandon, Angie, Willie, Donyetta, Clyde, Waneesha, Vernon, Joy, and her homeboy Justin. She took her big sister role to heart; please ask Glory and Wanda. Linda had bowlegs, and whenever she walked into a room, people stopped and paid attention

Linda was succeeded in death by her parents, Reverend James E. Witcher, mothers Mattie (Wilson) and

Princella (Burse) Witcher, sisters Debra Lintz and Sandra Marion, grandmothers, and grandfathers.

She is survived by her husband, Jessie Franklin of 38 years; eight children, five daughters: Dr. Shontaye Witcher, DaKay (David) Moore, LaRisa Drayton, Charney Franklin, and Taliea Franklin all of Muskegon, MI. Four sons: Robert Witcher, Tramel Caviness and Anthony Floyd of Muskegon, MI, Ronnie (Taj) Caviness of Wyoming, MI; Sixteen grandchildren: Treyvor Barclay, Robert Witcher, Jr., Jakeya Brown, Jamarre Franklin, Jamiyah Franklin, Isaiah Caviness, Tramel Caviness Jr., Katelynn Acre, Chloe Brown, Addyson Caviness, Taylor Caviness, Nyla Drayton, Darian Jones, Jr., Royalty Henderson, Dynasty Franklin, Jailen Owens, Anthony Floyd, Jr., Khaylin Brooks, Amaria Floyd and Aniya Floyd; five great grandchildren: Brinley Sargent, Treyvor Barclay, Jr., Oyett Barclay, Marcus Smith III and Kamdyn Smith, two sisters: Glory Witcher and Wanda (Vernon Sr.) Nash both of Muskegon, MI; four uncles: Reverend Edward (Judy) Seals, Rockford, IL, Ervin Seals, Dallas, TX, Donnell (Fredia) Wilson and James Wilson, Camden, AR; Six aunts: Rosie Lee Burse, Muskegon, MI, Iserine McHenry and Erva Jackson of Camden, AR, Marjorie Duson of Dallas, TX and Brenda (Donald) Allen of Little Rock, AR, Hattie Wilson of Los Angeles, CA; mother-in-law, Lillie Franklin; four sisters-in-law: Willie Franklin, Peggy (Ray) Jackson, Ola Mae French, and Brenda Franklin; four brothers-in-law, James(Veronica) Franklin, Michael Franklin, Doreco Franklin and Johnny Franklin; Goddaughter; Essence (Brandon) Fletcher. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends including Ollie Williams, Betty Day, Sheila Billips, Vera Dockery, and Jan Madison.