2022 First Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 6
BY SENATOR WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Sammy Jones Franklin.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Senate of the
Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing of a great gentleman and family
patriarch, Sammy Jones Franklin, in Jena, Louisiana, on January 28, 2022, at the age of
eighty-one years; and
WHEREAS, Sammy J. Franklin was born on May 24, 1940, in Jigger, Louisiana, to
Charlie Franklin and Alice Wall Franklin; and
WHEREAS, for fifty-four years, he was the owner, publisher, and editor of The Jena
Times Olla-Tullos-Urania Signal, the official journal for LaSalle Parish, a job that he loved
as much as life itself; and
WHEREAS, Sammy embarked at a young age on what would become his lifelong
passion, starting as a paper boy in Caldwell Parish, and joining the staff of The Caldwell
Watchman by the time he was enrolled at Columbia High School; and
WHEREAS, upon graduating in 1958, he worked full-time as a reporter and
photographer, honing his craft over the next ten years, and igniting inside himself the dream
to one day own his very own newspaper; and
WHEREAS, that dream was realized on January 1, 1968, when Sammy officially
took over the operation of two newspapers, The Jena Times and the Olla-Tullos Signal,
which would be combined within a year as The Jena Times Olla-Tullos-Signal; and
WHEREAS, in the succeeding years, he continued to improve the newspaper's
quality, adding full color pictures and eventually updating for the digital age; and
WHEREAS, while many small-town weekly newspapers closed or drastically
reduced their sizes over the past half-century, The Jena Times continued to grow under
Sammy's stalwart leadership; and
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 6 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, in keeping with Sammy's belief that, in order to have a successful
newspaper, the publisher and editor must become a part of the community that the paper
serves, he was actively involved in many church and civic clubs and organizations; and
WHEREAS, he helped organize the Jena Jaycees, which held the first Howdy
Neighbor Day; was an active member of the Jena Kiwanis Club; served a term on the Jena
Town Council, and as chairman of various committees and boards, including the LaSalle
Parish Library and LaSalle Parish Ambulance Board; spearheaded many other community
initiatives, including the first-ever Jena Nighttime Christmas Parade, first-ever outdoor Jena
High School graduation ceremony, and Jena Dixie Youth Baseball; and was instrumental in
various businesses deciding to locate in LaSalle Parish; and
WHEREAS, Sammy consistently promoted academics and athletics both in his
newspaper and as an avid fan, with his generous donations and involvement still positively
affecting young peoples' lives today; and
WHEREAS, his life revolved around his Savior, Jesus Christ, his family, his
newspaper, and doing everything he could for the betterment of LaSalle Parish; and
WHEREAS, Sammy was a long-time member of Temple Baptist Church, then
Midway Baptist Church, and served in various roles, including deacon, music minister, and
treasurer; and
WHEREAS, he loved old-time, four-part harmony Gospel music; at one time lending
his talents to a Gospel music group that sang in the area; and
WHEREAS, Sammy was a great fan of George Jones, and loved to play his music
and sing to family and employees of his newspaper, brightening the day of all who were
gifted with his performance; and
WHEREAS, he was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who
is survived by his loving wife of forty-one years, Bonita Francis Franklin; two daughters,
Penny Justus and Ashley Keene (Dustin); four sons, Glen Franklin, Craig Franklin (Kim),
Scott Franklin and his fiancee Jamie Clauss, and Charlie Franklin (Marissa); eighteen
grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; a host of other
family and friends; and his beloved dogs, Molly and Mow; and
WHEREAS, the memory of Sammy J. Franklin will always remain in the hearts of
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 6 ENROLLED
his family and friends who will forever reap the benefits of his lifetime of achievement; and
WHEREAS, Sammy represented all that is good about Louisiana as a man with
unique gifts and a charitable spirit, and with his passing, this state has lost one of its finest
citizens who left an indelible mark on the lives of the many individuals whom he touched
with his truly inspiring qualities and generosity, and who is now terribly missed but will
never be forgotten.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Sammy J. Franklin
upon the occasion of his death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby express its appreciation for Sammy J. Franklin's enduring contributions, which shall
long continue to be a source of deep honor for the town of Jena, LaSalle Parish, and the state
of Louisiana, and does hereby pay tribute to his remarkable legacy, which shall live long in
the hearts of those who were touched by his humanity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Bonita Francis Franklin.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3