Dorothy Elizabeth Franklin (Ralston)

Dorothy Elizabeth Ralston Hartness Franklin departed her earthly life on Saturday, March 30, 2013. On October 23, 1919, she was the first born of eight children to Lee Washington and Mary Elizabeth Postelle Ralston. Her birth was at the home of her grandparents located at Wilscot, GA. Dorothy (called Dot, Dottie by family and friends, “Little Lizzie” by her grandfather, Mother by her children and Nana or Grandmother by her grandchildren) first attended school at Padena GA and graduated from Fannin County High School in Morganton, GA at age fifteen. Most of her early years were spent at Hemptown, GA where her father co-owned and operated Ralston Brothers Sawmill and Lumber Company. Following high school, she spent a wonderful year boarding in a rooming house with friends studying at Young Harris College. Her first job was teaching at the youthful age of seventeen at Stanley Creek School. She later worked for the Department of Family and Children's Services in both Fannin and Gilmer counties where she proudly retired with twenty years of service. Much satisfaction was received from helping those less fortunate and assisting young couples with adoptions.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband's Owen Tech Hartness and Charles C. Franklin, brother, Robert Ralston, sisters, Helen Ralston Smith and Lena Ralston Caban and step-daughter Mandy Franklin. She is survived by a brother, Winston Ralston (Bernadine) of Roswell, GA; sisters Odetta Colwell (Carlton) of Blairsville GA, Glenda Major of LaGrange GA, Virginia Dillard Williams (Earl) of Cobb Island MD; sister-in-law Helen Ralston of Hemptown GA; children, Ron Hartness (Doris) of Blue Ridge GA, Jackie Hartness Williams (Bob) of Knoxville TN, Mike Hartness (Jan) of Chattanooga TN; step-children, Greg Franklin (Bev) of Calhoun GA, Chuck Franklin (Regina) of Atlanta, GA, Sue Franklin of Boston, MA; twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Phone conversations and visits to reminisce with her life- long friend, Pearl Collins Gilreath, were so meaningful for her and her roommate, Rose Stepp, at Heritage Health Center was very loving. Christmas gatherings were special times for family at a North Georgia Cabin to share family hugs and expressions of love. A Ralston reunion was held at Vogel State Park in September in honor of Dorothy's 90th birthday year bringing together almost a hundred family members from many states and England on a beautiful, sunny autumn day in the mountains.
Dorothy's favorite book was The Bible which she always said had the best stories about love and war along with other interesting subjects like, joy, pain, and suffering. She was a member of the Church of Christ from childhood and attended congregations at Hemptown, Blue Ridge and McCaysville. Winter was her favorite season and she wrote a poem about the season that we shared at her 93rd birthday celebration. Her favorite color was yellow. Upon entering her house, one could always hear religious or country music filling the corners of every room. She was a self-taught pianist and guitarist and could erupt into song at any moment! She also enjoyed poetry and art. Playing bridge, watching movies and viewing professional sports entertained her later in life.
Dorothy's wishes for her earthly departure were that her life's celebration be private and only for immediate and extended family. The family will celebrate her life at Henry-Cochran Funeral Home with a private family viewing followed by a private family graveside service to follow at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Young Harris College Local Scholarship Fund, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 275, Young Harris GA, 30582 in helping other young people follow their dreams. Additionally, an original painting by Ezra Sellers will be donated to the College's art collection in her memory.