7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
-2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV
Mother Amanda Lee Smith Franklin-Dancy was born February 26, 1941, in Madison County, Alabama to the late Mr. Robert Lee Smith Sr. and Mrs. Kattie Miller-Smith. Amanda departed this life at Crestwood Hospital Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022. In addition to her parents, Amanda was preceded in death by three sisters: Nina lee Smith, Mrs. Florestine Smith Jones, and Mrs. Eloise Smith-Johnson, a brother, Mr. Robert Lee Smith Jr.just five months ago.
Amanda confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church known then as New Haven in Huntsville, Alabama, under the Leadership of Pastor Robert Lee Toney. She later married Elder George Franklin Sr. and joined St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church in Swancott, AL.
Amanda graduated from Council Training School High School. Amanda always wanted to be a nurse, however, being the oldest of eight she felt the need to work and help her mom in the care of her. She didn’t get her LPN but she did attend American Red Cross in 2002. She worked hard to obtain her certificate by completing the course of Foundations for Caregiver and becoming a certified CNA. Amanda also received her certification as a Heartsaver AED with Huntsville Hospital Corporate University in March 2009. The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program labeled her as one of the oldest students to make a perfect score.
Amanda worked hard all of her life. She worked for Dunnavant’s Department Store for years, while caring for her two small kids, Tommy Ray and Cathy LaVaughn. After leaving Dunnavants, she pursued a career at Central Bank as a Bank Clerk. After marrying Elder George Franklin Sr. he eventually asked her to retire so she could be home to care for her family full time, which she truly enjoyed and if you know Amanda that made her very happy.
As a CNA, she has taken care of so so so many people. This was definitely Amanda’s calling to care for others and all of her clients and their families loved her dearly. Amanda took care of Elder Franklin when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. She told the medical staff she didn’t need anyone to come out to give him meds, bathe him or assist with care, she was fully equipped to do so and that is exactly what she did. She cared for Elder Franklin, Aunt Savannah Franklin and Mr. O.B. Johnson at the same time with the help of her kids, Ray and Cathy pitching in. After all three went home to Glory she started caring for others and their families. She also cared for Uncle Kiss Franklin, Aunt Rose Franklin and Aunt Julia Franklin-Brown, when she came to visit from Detroit, MI.
Amanda was a very special lady. She loved everyone and always willing to lend a helping hand. She served on the Mother’s Board at St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church. This was very special to her because she knew she was called to teach, nuture and show genuine love to others. She so loved being a Mother and truly loved training younger women in the position of Deaconess. Amanda was very good at making the communion bread and set up a class to teach others to make it with love like she always did. Amanda taught Sunday School for years starting at Mt. Zion. She taught the youth, Young Adult and Adult Classes. Amanda loved to study and teach the Word of God. She would often sit with Elder Franklin reading and learning from him and helping him with his sermons. The family would often have Bible classes in the den together with Elder Franklin, Amanda, Cathy, Ray and in the later years, Brandon. It was always so good and exciting. Amanda also song in the Choir at Mt.Zion. She also song as a trio with her two sister: Mrs. Dorothy Smith Fletcher and Mother Katherleen Smith-Cable, they touched a lot of souls. After joining St. Andrew, she also song in the choir there and truly enjoyed it. She led several old hymns during special services and communion. Mother Franklin-Dancy lead the Youth Department. Under the pastorship of Elder Michael Hartwell, The Nurses Guild’s Ministry was established and Mother Franklin-Dancy became a vital part of the group. She thoroughly enjoyed dressing out and being available to assist anyone. Mother Franklin-Dancy spoke at several Women’s Day Programs, taught several Classes at various Churches in multiple Associations but especially in the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association,which was her heart. She was also a faithful member of the Mother’s Union and was always willing to serve.
Mother Amanda Lee Smith Franklin-Dancy leaves cherish memories to her loving and devoted husband, Mr. Sam E. Dancy, Sam and Amanda were united in holy matrimony on February 27th, 2016; her devoted, caring and loving son: Mr. Tommy Ray (Sharon) Smith Sr.; her devoted, loving and caring daughter, Mrs. Cathy LaVaughn (David) Smith-Horton all of Huntsville, AL; her loving, devoted and caring daughter, Odessa Sales-Robinson of Hazel Green, AL; her stepchildren: Teresa Yarbrough, Jacki McKisey, Sylvia Watkins, Selena Dancy, Greg (Nancy) Benford, and Eric Dancy; grandchildren: Ms. Chiitra Tibbs, Mr. Tommy Ray Smith Jr., Elder Brandon Devon (Nicole) Nance, Ms. Raylin Kirby Smith, and David Lee “DJ” Horton Jr.; great grandchildren: Master Brandon Clay Nance and Little Miss Emersyn Paige Nance (her babies), she loved all of them so very much; a brother, Mr. Willie James Smith of Junction City, KS.; sisters, Mother Katherleen Smith Cable of Madison, AL and Mrs. Dorothy (James) Smith-Flecther of Athens, AL; seven sisters-in-law: Doris Carthen Smith of Belle Mina, AL, Betty J. Baker of Toledo, OH, Shirley Jefferson, Janice Basel, Samella (Wallace) Burton, Willie Mae Moore, and Geraldine Moore, all of Huntsville, AL; two brothers-in-law: Ronnie Moore of Huntsville, AL and John H. (Lucy) of Georgia; a very special aunt/second mother, Mother Willie Mae Miller Draper of Huntsville, AL; whom she cherished; aunts: Gloria Dean Toney and Shirley Toney, both of Chattanooga, TN. and an uncle, Mr. Roosevelt Toney of Chattanooga, TN; special friends; Mother Rachel Horton, Mother Willie Mae Harris, Mother Lewis,, Mrs. Helen Robinson, Mother Barbara Jackson, Mother Rosie Pickett Rogers and Mrs. Etta Jordan; a special caregiver, Ms. Rosie Norris and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Funeral service will be 12:00 noon, Monday, February 28, 2022 at Saint Andrew Primitive Baptist Church (1393 Swancott Road Madison, AL 35756) with Pastor Brandon Nance officiating. Interment will be in Faith Memorial Park. Mother Dancy will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Franklin and Dancy families will receive guests from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 27, 2022 and 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 28, 2022 at the Royal Funeral Home.
