Edith Mae Cox Franklin

Edith Mae Cox Franklin, 71 of Apex died suddenly at her home on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. She was born to William Henry Cox and Leathia Brown Cox on May 30, 1945 in Halifax Co., NC. She is survived by her son: Mark Franklin and wife, Kelly of New Hill; brothers: Howard Cox of Roanoke Rapids, and Gene Cox (Lisa) of Gaston, NC; sister: Leathia Cox of Roanoke Rapids, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband: Wilbur Franklin, sisters: Helen Overton, Myrtie Smith, and Mary Lee Davis and brother: Jack Cox. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Apex Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held at Apex Baptist Church on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 3:00 pm. Burial will follow in the Apex Cemetery. Mae decided when Mark was young that she wanted to stay home with him, so she began keeping children for other working parents. This was not just an occupation to her; it was her life’s calling. She has been a caregiver for children for over forty years. It would be hard to give an exact count, but it would be easy to say she has spanned multiple generations of children. Children who stayed with “MaeMae” have been known to come back with their children, knowing that they would not only receive the proper care, but they would receive love. There was a time when there was actually a T-shirt that the children wore that read, “I Spend My Days at Miss Mae’s”. If you were one of the children or had a child for whom she cared, consider yourself to be of the fortunate ones. She also loved spending time with her friends and family. One of the highlights of her year, every year, was her trip with her family to the beach for a week. She was always ready to go when the day arrived and enjoyed every minute of her vacation. It also gave her a new location to go shopping, which was another of the things she loved doing. Mae was an excellent country cook and she enjoyed eating good food. It was evident if you ever asked, “What are you cooking for Mark and Kelly on Sunday?” By the time she finished telling you what she was going to prepare, you wished somehow you could wrangle an invitation, too. Mae was an active member of Apex Baptist Church. She worked in the children’s department for many years in Sunday School. She loved children and this was her way of serving her church family. She was also an active member of the Firebelles and participated in many civic service projects in the community through this organization. We know that heaven’s children just gained a new Angel to help love and guide them. MaeMae is there with her lap ready to hold them and nurture them. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Apex Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made to www.wakefuneral.com

Edith Mae Cox Franklin

May 30, 1945 - July 13, 2016