George “Kilroy” Franklin was a fixture in the gospel sound that made a joyful noise throughout Bessemer and beyond, and Bessemer residents recently mourned and celebrated his life.
The service was held at Hopewell Baptist Church, 4817 Jefferson Ave., Birmingham, under the pastorship of Dr. Edward E. Rodgers, with the Rev. Amos Williams delivering the sermon. Musical guests celebrated Franklin’s life in song and memories.
Elder Geraldine Taylor gave a retrospective on her friendship with Franklin, and his sister, Sharon Franklin, spoke on the kind of person he was and his passion for singing songs inspired by God and the Holy Spirit.
A jokester who was also a serious man, Franklin sang with the Gospel Messengers and was a major contributor to Mose Tanksley and the Spiritual Crusaders before becoming a co-founder of the Gospel Crusaders. A native of Franklin, Tenn., he made Alabama his home and shared his talent with many audiences over the years.
Singing in multiple registers, Franklin’s tenor leads carried a spiritual smoothness and passion, and his songs often showed a vulnerability that testified to the work God can do in anyone’s life, no matter what others say.
He was also a songwriter. His most revered song, “3 Pictures of God,” which many of us heard on our grandparents’ and parents’ radios on Saturday and Sunday mornings, struck a chord with many as it told of a man’s bout with the world while searching for, and finding, love in God.
Musical tributes on the program came from the J.D. Gospel Singers, the Miller Singers, the Perryman Singers and Brother Michael Underwood.
We send condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, friends and family, especially those of us inspired by his musical ability, his storytelling and the many memories that are testaments to his legacy.
We remember a peaceful voice that serenaded us in this wilderness, unselfishly.
