Mrs. Willie Lee Gilchrist Franklin was born on October 3, 1947 in Parksville SC. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Nancy Chamberlain Gilchrist and wife of the late Henry Franklin. She passed on May 16, 2023 in McCormick, SC. She was 75 years old

Willie Lee joined Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Parksville SC at a young age. She attended Mims High School in McCormick, SC. She spent most of her career working in textiles. She also worked for the McCormick County School District and was a van driver for the McCormick County Senior Center. She retired as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

In addition to her husband and parents, Willie Lee was preceded in  death by a loving daughter, Greta Franklin; her stepmother, Hattie Bell Gilchrist; sisters, Annie Pearl Gardner, Ophelia Simpkins and Sandra D. Ramsey; brothers, Robert “Jent” Jennings, James Gilchrist, Wiley Gilchrist and John Lee Barker.

Willie Lee’s memories will be cherished by her daughters, Tammy F. Perrin and Cassandra Faye Perrin (Jimmy) both of McCormick, SC; sisters, Clara Roberts of McCormick, SC, Lillie Holmes of Greenwood, SC, Sarah Ware of Ashville, NC, Annie Ruth Gilchrist of Springfield, MD and Stela Martin of Fayetteville, NC; four grandchildren, Shekita Franklin, Jaquinn Franklin, Jerel Franklin (Candace) and Brooklyn Cobb; twelve great grandchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.