C E LE BR AT I N G
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Mable, affectionately known as Madea was born in Brookhaven, MS as Mable Lean Rancifer on January 27, 1934 to Ailene and Earley Rancifer. She and her twin sister Melba were the 8th and 9th, children out of 12. Preceeding her in death were her four brothers Vernon, Audley, Herbert, and Charles Rancifer, and five of her sisters Eloise Franklin, Helen Smith, Margie Williams, Laverne Williams, and Alice Byrd. Mable accepted Christ at an early age at Pilgram Rest Methodist Church in Brookhaven, MS. She attended Elementary and High School at Friendship School in Brookhaven, MS., where she met the love of her life, Sampson Franklin Jr. in 1949, who preceded her in death. She joined him in Holy Matrimony in 1950 in Brookhaven. Mable and Sampson moved to Chicago, IL in 1951. To this union they had 5 children Billie C. Franklin, Barney C. Franklin, Debbie C. Taylor (who preceded her in death), Miketoia R. Miller (who preceded her in death) and Norris D. Franklin. Madea also took on the role as mom to her Grandson Edward (Teddy) Taylor III after Debbie passed in 1982. In 1985 Madea remarried Rufus Pearson who preceded her death. When Mable arrived in Chicago, she continued her education at DuSable High School where she graduated. After working a few jobs, she took on a role as a long term cook for Stauffers Restaurant in downtown Chicago for many years. When Stauffer’s closed their restaurant , she changed careers. She worked as a Lab Tech for Illinois Department of Public Health for many years where she retired in 1999. Madea loved life and had a joyful life in the city with her sisters. She loved her twin Melba dearly they shared an unbreakable bond. While working at Stauffer’s Madea excelled at cooking and was known for her cakes, pies, and other desserts. She became the go to person for cakes and other dishes during holidays and other events. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and would go over and beyond for them. If anyone in the family was sick or in need, she would rush to help them. She was a giver but was also a no-nonsense woman. She was a fighter and took on many battles for her loved ones. Life gave her many challenges, but she always landed on her feet with little help. Madea transitioned to Heaven on Thursday, September 9, 2021 in her home on the southside of Chicago where she lived for nearly 60 years. Madea leaves to cherish her memory her 4 sons Billie C. Franklin (Janard) of Chicago, IL, Barney C. Franklin (Jean) of Atlanta, GA, Norris D. Franklin (Shenora) of Chicago, IL, Edward (Teddy) Taylor III of Los Angeles, CA and Son in law Marshall Miller of Dolton, IL. 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren. 2 of her grandchildren preceded her in death Paris V. Taylor and Terry Dishmon, 2 sisters Melba Osbourne (Lawrence), Willie Earl Hill. A host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Tuesday September 21, 2021
Visitation: 11:00am | Service: 11:30am Gatlings Chapel 10133 S. Halsted Street • Chicago, IL 60628 Pastor Davie Moore, Officiating Family Processional Billie C. Franklin Barney C. Franklin Norris D. Franklin Edward Taylor, III Prayer Matthew Simone Scripture Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Norelle Simon Selection Soloist: Patricia Davis Poem Peggy Westbrook Tribute Family and Friends Please limit to 2 minutes Reading Of Obituary Toya Bennett, Granddaughter Eulogy Pastor Davie Moore Final Viewing Processional
You were my everything, and I don’t know how I will do this without you But I know you are happy, and celebrating your life, that’s true You had a challenge taking me in, and God kept you along the way It’s completely selfish of me to want you to stay But I am lost without you. I get my sass from you, you were my very first best friend Even telling you at the age of 3 that you needed to get you a man My humor, wit and style I can’t own, it’s all you Thank you Madea, what a wonderful thing to do I’m the luckiest grandson in the world to have been blessed with your love I feel even more confident with you joining the others above. I will make you prouder with each moment I’m granted Trusting and using all the wonderful seeds you planted. I’m lost without you, but I will find my way We will hold it down as a family each and every day Kiss all of our loved ones who welcomed you in It may be a loss to us, but for you this was a win! I love you forever Madea. - Teddy
“Missing You” I awake each morning to start a new day But the pain of losing you never goes away I go about the things I have to do And as the hours pass, I think again of you
I want to call you and just hear your voice Then I remember that I have no choice For you are not there and now my heart cries Just to see you again, to tell you goodbye To say “Madear I love you and I always will” And hope that much of you in me you’ve instilled The day that you left I just didn’t know That you were going where I couldn’t go And now all of my memories of you are so clear But gosh, how I wish you were here Who now can hear me when I need to cry? It’s so hard to tell you Madear goodbye Someday I know all will be well And I’ll see you again with stories to all Until then my memories of you I’ll keep near And I’ll pass them on to those who are dear I miss you madear76 Peggy Westbrook
Pallbearers
Edward Taylor III Lawrence Osborne Xavier Lynch Taylor Carl Johnson Billie Calvin Franklin Ryan Cason Tito Franklin
Honorary Pallbearers Yaphet Broils Tracey Mitchells Dana Mathis
Interment Burr Oak Cemetery 4400 W. 127th Street Alsip, IL 60803
Acknowledgement of Thanks
The family of the late Mable Lean Rancifer gratefully acknowledges with sincere appreciation the many acts of kindness, each gesture of sympathy and prayer petitioned on our behalf during this time of sorrow. We are most grateful to God for the gift of friends like you. Your expressions of love have given us strength and inspiration for the facing of this hour.
Gatlings Chapel
Arrangements Entrusted to:
10133 S. Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60628 (773) 881-4111