Janice Merlene (McNeal) Franklin

December 15, 1937 – August 11, 2019

On Sunday August 11, 2019, with her loving family by her side, Janice McNeal (Payne) Franklin went to be with her Lord and Savior.

A celebration for Janice will be held on Friday August 16, 2019 at 10:00am at the First United Methodist Church in Perry, Oklahoma, where she was a member. Interment to follow at Grace Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or The Perry Senior Citizen Center in care of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home.

Janice Merlene was born on December 15, 1937 to Lester (Shanty) McNeal and Opal Johnson McNeal in Lucien, Oklahoma. She was raised in Lucien, attended Covington elementary and was a graduate of Perry High School. In May of 1956 Janice married Cleo D. Payne and to this union they had four children; Gregg, Mark, Shelly, and Bruce. In May 1995 Janice married LeLand (Bud) Franklin and they enjoyed many years of love and family.

Janice worked many years in Perry at Shepard’s Appliance and Perry City Hall. In her retirement years she loved playing cards and socializing at the Perry Senior Citizen Center. Cooking for her kids at family gatherings on weekends, holidays, and birthdays, was one of her greatest joys.

Janice was the most loving, generous, caring individual and her family was #1 to her always and forever. Leaving to remember and love her legacy are her Sons, Gregg (Kathy), Mark (Kim), One Daughter, Shelly (Dennis); Grandchildren Michael, Bryce, Allison, Jeff, Brett, Jamie; Great-grandchildren. Nicholas, Christopher, Shelby, Parker, Eliott, Michaela, Adisyn, Harper, and Jenna; Great-Great-Grandchildren, Lyrik, and Harmony; Two Sisters, Jeannette (McNeal) Townsend and Vicky (McNeal) Freese.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Ernest (Ernie) Karcher; husband, Bud;, one sister, Sandra Sue; son, Bruce Owen Payne; granddaughter, Susan Shipley; and great-granddaughter, Ashton Payne.