Obituaries

OBITUARY: McDonald Steenrod Franklin

June 22, 2026

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McDonald Steenrod Franklin returned to his maker June 15, 2026. Mack was born to Christopher “McCoy” Franklin and Mary Alice (Steenrod) Franklin in Crossnore, NC, September 21, 1932.

Mack is survived by his wife of almost 73 years Betty Lou (Hodges) Franklin; sons Don, Chris (Dawn), Greg (Cathy), and daughter Sharon Darby; grandchildren Jeremy Franklin, Lindsey Johnson (David), Jake Franklin (Morgan), Sarah Crews, Cate Franklin, Will T. Franklin, Josh Darby (Kami), Nick Darby (Sarah), and Will Darby; in addition to a small army of loving and devoted great-grandchildren.

Mack was a 1950 graduate of Madisonville High School; attended the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) where he was a member of the 1951 National Championship football team. While at UT Mack played in four bowl games, earned all SEC honors, and was captain of the 53-’54 team. After graduation (B.A. in Natural Sciences with a major in Zoology), Mack commissioned into the U.S. Army and spent 2 years, active duty, in the Medical Services Corps, mostly in Germany.

Upon return to the States, Mack taught Chemistry, and coached football at Oak Ridge HS, Knox Farragut HS, then East Ridge (ER) HS (58-’69). While at ER HS he was instrumental in the start of their wrestling program, which went on to claim two State Championships in the late 60’s. Mack completed his M.A. in School Administration at the University of Chattanooga, then +45 hours towards his PhD at UTK (’75). He served as principal at McBrien Elementary, ER HS, then Assistant Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools (82-’88).

Following his retirement from the School System, Mack served as VP and Director of Programs for STARS (Students Taking a Right Stand), a drug education program implemented in school systems throughout the U.S..

Over the course of his life, Mack maintained many associations and received numerous accolades. He served on the TSSAA Board of Control, and was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame. He was given the Distinguished American Award by the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He served one term on the Hamilton County Quarterly Court; was past president of Drug Free Alliance; past chair of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court, and past chairman for the Chattanooga chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As well, he served 23 years as Director of East Ridge Recreation.

Mack, son of a Presbyterian minister, was an active, longtime member of Presbyterian churches in the Chattanooga area. At the time of his death he was a member of the Hermitage United Methodist Church in Hermitage, TN.

In his own words, “My goal is to leave the world a little better because I lived and served.”

His love for God, Family, and others was a steady guide for his life.

At present, there are no funeral service plans. Ultimately, Mack will be buried at Haven Hill Memorial Gardens, Madisonville, Tennessee.

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This obituary was published by Partlow Funeral Chapel – Lebanon.