Stephen Roy "Skip" Franklin Sr. , 65, of Ripley, WV, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, following an extended illness.

He was born May 2, 1955, in Gastonia, N.C., a son of the late Richard Kenneth Sr. and Margaret Ann (Ward) Franklin.

Affectionately known to many as "Skip", he graduated in 1974 from Bessemer City High School in NC, where he was a scholar athlete in basketball and football. He will be remembered by many as one of the best quarterbacks the high school had. He was also a huge fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels and enjoyed golfing. Following high school, he went on to Hair Styling Institute of Charlotte to receive his certification as a barber. He worked as a manager in the sales department at Tom Peden Chevrolet in Ripley with 15 years of service.

Skip was the "life of the party" and never met a stranger. He was also a very good cook, especially his seafood, chicken and dumplings, and his shrimp and steak meals. Toward the end of his life, he had a way with nature. He would often sit on his porch and feed the birds, ducks, chipmunks, and deer. Skip was a family man and loved his wife and children dearly.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Diane Marie (Durback) Franklin; sons, Tyler Franklin and his wife Sheena of Morgantown, Stephen Franklin Jr. and his wife Lindsay of Chapin, SC, Matthew "Jordan" Franklin (Keari Cook) of Ripley; daughters, Erica Bryn Knight of Charleston, SC, Whitney "Annie" Franklin (Sonny Blake) of Point Pleasant; brothers, Richard Franklin Jr. and his wife, Vicky of Kings Mountain, NC, Joseph "Jo-D" Franklin and his wife, Melissa of Bessemer City, NC; sister, Tammie Long Franklin of Bessemer City, NC; grandchildren, Madilyn Franklin, Chandler Franklin, Ali Franklin, Donavan Franklin, Stephen "Tripp" Franklin III and Brooke Franklin and a host of friends.

Private visitation will be held at Casto Funeral Home, Evans, WV. Graveside service and burial will follow in Jackson County Memory Gardens, Cottageville, WV with Pastor Mark Price officiating.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date in North Carolina.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.castofuneralhome.com