Ruth Owen Franklin Lee, age 88, passed away at her home on Thursday, April 9th, 2020, surrounded by family and loved ones. Ruth was born in Gallatin, TN on March 10, 1932, preceded in death by her husband, Robert Draper Franklin Jr; second husband, Lewis Brooks Lee; and sister, Mary Anne Bell. She is survived by her brother, Richard; three children, Bobby Franklin (Patty), Carter Franklin (Lyn), and Calvert Garstin (Keith); three stepchildren, Riley, Spence, and Brook; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Owen, Helen, Franklin, Sam, Robert, and Clay; and two great-grandchildren, Carson and Addie.
Ruth, called Nan by her grandchildren, loved her family passionately. She was the true ‘rock of the family’ for her children and grandchildren and would do anything to protect them, or just to make them smile. She was generous with her time and talents and always helped her children and grandchildren pursue their passions.
Ruth loved playing bridge with her friends and attending garden, sewing, and bridge club where there was often more laughter and bridge played than gardening or sewing. She had an active social life and her many friends will miss her dearly.
A private service will be held graveside at Maple Hill Cemetery on April 13th, 2020 with close family attending. The family will host a celebration of Ruth’s life once the Alabama shelter-in-place order is lifted.
In lieu of flowers, Ruth would have loved for you to donate to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens which she so treasured. She will be deeply missed by all those privileged to love her.
