TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
John P. Franklin was born on April 26, 1922, the youngest of five children of G.W. and Rosalie Franklin. His father was Chattanooga’s first African Ameri- can funeral home owner and died when young Franklin was six years old. Frank- lin grew up in the Fort Wood neighbor- hood of Chattanooga and attended East Fifth Street School and later, Howard High School. After graduating from high school, he traveled to Tuskegee, AL to attend historic Tuskegee Institute (now University). He left college in 1942 to join the United States Army. He served as a typist in an artillery unit in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was Honorably Discharged in 1946. He returned to his hometown of Chat- tanooga, working briefly at his father’s funeral home, Franklin Funeral Home, prior to returning to college on the G.I. Bill. Instead of returning to Tuskegee, Franklin chose Fisk University in Nash- ville, TN to complete his undergraduate education. While at Fisk, he played football, served as secretary of the Judi- cial Cabinet was a member of Student Faculty Council, and Boosters Club. He was Chapter Polemarch of Alpha Delta of Kappa Alpha Psi ® for two years. In 1950 he earned a B.S. degree in physical education and earned a master’s degree in education and health in 1951 from Indiana University-Bloomington. Post-graduation, Franklin went back to work at Franklin Funeral Home while applying for jobs in the Chattanooga school system. He held positions of coach and teacher at Orchard Knob Junior High School prior to his selection as the head of the physical education program for Black secondary schools of the city. In 1960, he was named prin- cipal of W.J. Davenport School. He became principal of Alton Park Junior High School in 1961 where he remained until 1971. In 1971, Franklin successfully ran for political office winning office of Com- missioner of Education and Health which he held for 20 years. He served his hometown of Chattanooga as vice- mayor for four of five-year terms. He also served as chairman of the City
1951, serving during the Korean Con- flict. His assignment was to the 651 st Communications Squadron Operations. During his tenure, he received the following Decorations: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal through the Army of Occupation in Germany. He served as a Radio Com- munications Operator. He took an early release in 1955 from the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. After honorably discharged, he returned to Xavier Uni- versity to complete his bachelor's degree in art and graduated in 1956. In 1952, Floyd married Millie Marie Cavil who was his childhood sweet- heart from the tender age of eight. She became the love of his life! The couple was married at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Dallas, TX. They shared a lifetime of wedded bliss for 66 fruitful and fun-filled years. To this union, four children were born: Ste- phen Anthony, Stephanie Anne, Michael Floyd who preceded him in death, and Patrick Fitzgerald Ferguson. Floyd practiced his faith at St. Peter the Apostle, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. James, and Holy Cross Catholic churches. He was an active member of Holy Cross for more than 40 years where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus (served as treasurer), Knights of St. Peter Claver, was a Parish Council Representative and secretary for the Finance Committee. Floyd was designated as a First-Class Relic by the Catholic Church because was honored to have touched the hands of St. Teresa of Calcutta. He was the official church photographer more than 40 years. Ferguson worked for the United States Postal Service and retired after more than 30 years. Early in life, he devel- oped a love for photography which lasted throughout his lifetime. He also a consummate entrepreneur, where he was founder/owner of Fer- guson Fotos. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , Ferguson was an active and dependable member of the Dallas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi ® where he served as chapter historian and
photographer. His vast community service and memberships included: member of the African American Museum in Dal- las, TX; an Inaugural member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.; a member of the NAACP, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Mo- reland Branch YMCA, and Black Dallas Remembered. He also served as the official photographer for the Dallas Post Tribune Newspaper, and most of the Af- rican American community organizations in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. He was preceded in death by his par- ents, his son, Michael Floyd Ferguson and his granddaughter, Stephanie Lynn McDonald. His leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife and silhouette, Millie Ferguson; children: Stephen Ferguson (Beta Iota 1980); Stephanie Hawthorne; and Patrick Ferguson; his grandchildren: Tamorah Hawthorne, Brian Hawthorne, Evan Ferguson, Raven Ferguson and Stephen Ferguson II; his brother, Wendell R. Ferguson; Nephews: Daryl (Brenda) Ferguson and Wendell B. (Vanessa) Fer- guson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.
John P. Franklin, Sr. 1922-2018
Chattanooga Community Leader, Funeral Home Owner, Educator
A longtime educa- tor, principal and city school board member, John P. Franklin, Sr. (Alpha Delta 1947) made his- tory in 1971 when elected as the only African American
to be elected in a citywide vote to the old Chattanooga, TN City Commission. Former Chattanooga mayor Ron Little- field told a local TV station, Brother John P. Franklin, Sr. entered the Chapter Invisible on June 21, 2018 at the age of 96.
188 | FALL 2019 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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