Mary Del (Lawson) Smith (1920 - 2004)

Born 17 Jul 1920 in Andalusia, Covington County, Alabama, United States of America

Died 20 Mar 2004 at age 83 in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Florida, United States of America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lisa Franklin [send private message]

Biography

Buried in Wright Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Family rumor states her father was Riley A. Franklin, brother of my great grandfather, William J. Franklin. Mary Del herself wrote me about 1991 asking me if I could help or knew anything about Riley being her father. Sadly, at that time I did not. I only wish we had found out sooner that it is likely true as it was of vital importance to her at the time.

Family stories abound regarding Riley's promiscuity. Riley's grandson Tom, recalled to me that Riley once ran off to Georgia to stay for awhile until 'the heat' settled in Alabama from some fellow who caught Riley with his wife and threatened to kill him. Riley's last legitimate child was born in 1916 when he was 51. His brother William was 72 when his last child was born. To use cousin Lessie's terminology, the Franklin men apparently had 'tools' that never wore out.  ;) And DNA has proven one illegitimate child Riley sired by his cousin Mollie, so there may be some truth to his being Mary Del's father as well. Further DNA testing of her descendants would be necessary to ascertain if this is indeed fact. Riley has several descendants who have tested and a large number of Franklin cousins who have tested as well, so there is plenty of comparison data already available for comparison and analysis.

Sources

• Letter from Mary Del Smith to Lisa, late 1980s/early 1990s.
• Obituary - March 2004, Fort Walton Beach, FL newspaper.
• Obituary of her mother, Vastie Lawson. The Covington News. 17 Jun 1948. fp.