We were in Cowpens, SC, this weekend for my dad's 80th birthday. Mom had planned a church-wide birthday party for Saturday afternoon. The church family at Calvary Baptist treated him with a very special party, with lots of food, music, cards and gifts. Both of my sisters Debbie and Loretta were there, along with grandkids - Kenny and his wife Casey, April, Jonathan, and Philip. Also several of his nieces and their children attended - Judy, Frances, Gloria, Pat, Donna and her kids, and Greg and his wife Kylee.
But that was not the only celebration. We found out when we arrived that we would also be attending the 125th anniversary service of the Clifton First Baptist Church in Clifton, SC. (More food!) The church was established in 1881 and a historical marker was dedicated yesterday. My grandmother, Mattie Belle, was the oldest member of the church when she died about 25 years ago. We just discovered recently that my grandfather, C.C Franklin (who died in 1946 before I was even thought of) was a very active member of this church. He was a deacon and led the singing for a time, and we found his name listed in the church records that were on display. One of the books showed that he joined the church between 1909 and 1910. Orginally from North Carolina, he came to Clifton to work in the cotton mill. He was in the 1920's record book as a delegate at the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1922.
Yesterday, they also recognized my dad for being a member from the 1940's. Dad was the song leader and choir director for a time. The records book from the 1940's also showed most of dad's sisters and one of his brothers as members of the church. The books recorded my grandfather C.C. Franklin's death on 1/8/46. (My dad was in the U.S. Navy during 1944-1946 and was not able to come home for the funeral.) The record also showed that my dad transferred his letter of membership in 1947 (he became a member of Central Baptist in Cowpens at that time.)
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