Barbara Siggers Franklin

Born and raised in Shelby, Mississippi, Barbara Siggers married Clarence LaVaughn Franklin on June 3, 1936. The couple had four children: Erma (1938–2002), Cecil (1940–1989), Aretha (1942–2018), and Carolyn Franklin (1944–1988). Prior to the marriage, Barbara had a son, Vaughn (born December 24, 1934 - died November 7 , 2002) from a previous relationship, whom Rev. Franklin adopted shortly after their marriage. Barbara was a gifted pianist and, according to Mahalia Jackson, one of the finest gospel singers in the country.[1] Though her primary role was that of wife and mother, she actively participated in the musical affairs of the churches where C. L. served as pastor.

Following marital trouble stemming from C. L.'s numerous and ongoing infidelities, including fathering a daughter (named Carol Ellan Kelley [née Jennings]) by Mildred Jennings, a 12-year-old congregant in Memphis in 1940,[1]^:61 Barbara left C. L. in 1948 and moved to Buffalo, New York, where her mother resided and where C. L. had served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church from May 1944 to June 1946. She made a life for herself working in a music store, giving private music lessons, and training to be a nurse's aide.[1]^:123 Barbara and C. L. never officially divorced.[1]

Although this was widely reported, Barbara Franklin did not desert her children. Aretha Franklin disputed that rumor, and Prof. Nick Salvatore of Cornell University takes pains to discredit it in his biography of C. L. Franklin. According to Salvatore, Barbara Franklin visited Detroit, Michigan, to see her children and they traveled to Buffalo during summer vacations for stays with her.[1] Barbara Franklin died of a suicide by stabbing on March 7, 1952.[1]^:125 She was 34 years old.

Audra McDonald will portray Barbara Franklin in the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect.[2][3]

• Barbara Siggers Franklin at Find a Grave