Elizabeth Averett Franklin, of Bay City, departed this life to join her beloved husband "Wes" on Monday, November 16th, 2009. Elizabeth had lived in Bay City for the past 60 years. She was born September 13th, 1921, in Moultrie, Georgia, to the late Dock Gerome and Virginia Averett. She grew up in Moultrie with her sisters Myrtle Weeks, Louise Harden, Georgia Welton, Lucille Flowers, and Mary Jane Turney.

After graduating from high school in Moultrie, she went to Dumas, Texas, to live with her sister Lucille and that's where she met Morgan Wesley "Wes" Franklin. It was Love at first sight and she never had any doubt that's who she wanted to live the rest of her life with. They were married in Phillips, Texas, on February 28th, 1942, and celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2003 shortly before Wes passed away.

While Wes served his country in the U. S. Navy, Elizabeth followed him wherever he was stationed in order to be with him. After Wes' honorable discharge from the Navy, they settled in Borger, Texas, where Wes went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company. Shortly thereafter, they were transferred to Phillips at Old Ocean and they moved to Bay City where they happily lived the rest of their lives.

Elizabeth worked for many years at The Smart Shop on the square and later at Hildred Hines' children's clothing store. She loved clothes and jewelry – she was a wonderful seamstress, a talented artist, and a Great Cook! She always put her family's needs before hers – many a night she would be known to sit up at her sewing machine to make sure her daughters had a new dress to wear the following day.

She was an intense person – once you were her friend you lasted forever. There was nothing she couldn't accomplish once she set her mind to it. She was headstrong and "feisty" and full of life. She was extremely protective of her family. She will be greatly missed.

Elizabeth loved her daughters Beverly Ann Franklin of Huntsville, Texas, Becky Hassebroek and husband Marv Hassebroek of Fairbanks, Alaska, and her "just like a daughter" Susan Longoria of Bay City, Texas. Her extended family includes grandchildren Kelley and Michael Duvall and E. Wayne Self II of Payson, AZ; Bob and Mona Bergey, Melanie and Larry Hinzman, Marcie and Dan Moody, and Mark and Renee Hassebroek, all of Fairbanks, Alaska; 11 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth will be laid to rest next to her beloved Wes at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Viewing will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Taylor Bros Funeral Home on Wednesday evening, November 18th, with services to be held on Thursday morning, November 19th, at 11:00 AM at the First Christian Church where she was a long time member, with the Rev. Tom Quirk officiating. Please join her family and friends in celebrating her life. Those wishing to make memorial contributions can do so to the Elizabeth Franklin Fund at the First Christian Church.