Mabel R. Franks
Schoolteacher in New York

Mabel Ruth Franks, 94, of 814 S. Petty St., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, at 11:25 a.m. at her residence.

A native of Augusta, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late William Pickerd and the late Elizabeth Roberts Pickerd. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Wayne Chapman and William Henry Franks; a son, Wayne Robert Chapman; a grandson, Robert Wayne Chapman; her sisters and their husbands, Betty and Charles Pecci and Catherine and Dean Coe; and her brothers and their wives, Irving and Maude Pickers and Charles and Margaret Pickers.

Mrs. Franks was a member of Bouckville United Methodist Church and Trinity Baptist Church in Gaffney. She was a graduate of Madison (N.Y.) Central School and Cortland College. Mrs. Franks was a schoolteacher in the Madison (N.Y.) Central School and worked for many years in the Knoxboro Elementary School, which was a part of the district at that time. She then moved on to teach sixth grade at the Madison Building.

Over the years, she dedicated her life to doing for others, spending time working for her church, the Area Interfaith Food Project, the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and many other organizations. Mabel's love for the Lord and grateful spirit have been a tremendous testimony of God's love ad grace in her life. She was well known as a long-time Madison, N.Y., resident and was also a recipient of the Roses for the Living Award.

She is survived by her son, Ralph William Chapman (Susan); seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several great-greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Methodist Church of Bouckville; or to the Bryson Bottini Fund, P.O. Box 4868, Rome, N.Y. 13442-4868.

(Courtesy of Foster Funeral Home.)