B. Franklin Napier

B. Franklin Napier, 91, of Morristown passed away Friday, October 26, 2007 at Morristown Manor. Born August 1, 1916, in Slusher, Ky., he was the son of Leander Lee and Rosa (Hopkins) Napier. He married Josie Elizabeth Abell on March 13, 1937, and she preceded him in death on September 3, 2003. Survivors include his daughters, Aileene Mullen (husband, Blaine) Flick of Indianapolis and Joy (husband, Bill) Branson of Nashville; sons, Benjamin F. (wife, Wanda) Napier of Redding Calif., and Randall Lee (wife, Sue) Napier of Shelbyville; brother, T. J. Napier of Ararat, N.C.; sisters, Blanche Weiland of Louisville, KY., Mrytle Sarakatsnos of Surprise, Ariz., and Lille Marie Valentine of Jessup, Md.; grandchildren, Jeff (wife, Emily) Napier of Crescent City, Calif., Robert Michael Napier of Auckland, New Zealand, Tonya (husband, Gregg) Shaw of Brownsburg, Andrea Napier of Indianapolis, Nicholas (wife, Felicia) Branson of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sean (wife, Beth) Branson of Valley Glen, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Madeline Rose Napier and Andrew Napier, both of Crescent City, Emerson Shaw and Elliot Shaw, both of Brownsburg, Gretchan Shaw of Florida, Whitney Shaw serving in Iraq, Addison Nichole Branson of Las Vegas and Kelly Jo Branson, Sara McElrath and Marie McElrath, all of Valley Glen, Calif. He also was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Napier and John Edward Napier; and sister, Elizabeth Nova Napier. Mr. Napier worked in the coal mines of Eastern Kentucky and farmed his father's farm in Lebanon, Ky., until 1950. He moved his family to Morristown and was employed by General Motor Corp. Allison Transmission Division in Indianapolis from January of 1951 through February of 1977. He was a member of Morristown Christian Church for 40 years, Masonic Lodge of Greenfield for 50 years and Odd Fellows Lodge. Mr. Napier was well known for his tomato patch, with family, friend and neighbors enjoying the fruits of his labor. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Frazier Chapel, 124 E. North St., in Morristown. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Morristown Christian Church, 209 W. Washington St. in Morristown. Interment will be in Asbury Cemetery in Morristown.