Joseph Burnette (“Coot”) Franklin, 84, died at his home on Labor Day. He was born in Atlanta on August 31, 1925. Coot was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Young Franklin, in 2006, and by his brother, Sammy, in 1977. He is survived by two loving children, Beth (Dan Newton) and Michael (Kristen), and five beautiful grandchildren. Coot had been a regional sales manager for Lennox, a leader in air conditioning, and later became an HVAC inspector for Gwinnett and later Dekalb County. He was a member of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church and often volunteered to provide the homeless with donuts and fellowship. When leaving anyone he knew or had just met, he would turn and say, “God loves you, and I love you.” On Wednesday and Thursday, family and friends can respond with, “God loves you, Coot, and we love you.” The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 9. from 6 to 8 p.m. at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, (404) 292-1551. A graveside service will be held Thursday, September 10, at 3 p.m. at Floral Hills Memory Gardens, 3000 Lawrenceville Hwy., Tucker, GA 30084. A. S. Turner & Sons
