Mrs. Mary Carole “Little Mom” Franklin, 76, of Valdese, passed away on Monday November 25,2024 at her residence after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Franklin was born April 29, 1948, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Roye and Essie Mae Robinson Murphy.  She was a member of the Solid Rock Baptist Church and attended Bridge Worship Church.   Carole started working with her mother at what was known as the “Rat Hole” restaurant in Valdese and eventually owned her own restaurant, “Little Mom’s”, in Valdese.  She enjoyed cooking for, serving and talking with her customers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rondell James Franklin and brothers, Doug Murphy, Jerry Murphy and Terry Murphy.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Mark Douglas Franklin and wife Mindy of Cramerton, NC and Micheal Chad Franklin and wife Mary of Austin Tx., sisters, Ann Grady, Gale Reiss and Becky Burns all of Valdese.  Also surviving are her grandchildren, Kelsey Franklin of Valdese, Daniel James Franklin, senior at Texas A&M, Nicole Rosemary Franklin, sophomore at Texas A & M, Laila Grace Franklin, Senior at Cedar Park High School, Kai Burnette Franklin of Cramerton, a great-grandchild, Kaziah Smith of Valdese and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Carole “Little Mom” Franklin will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday November 29, 2024, in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service, with Rev. Tony Land officiating.  Interment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese.

Memorials may be made to Solid Rock Baptist Church or Amorem, Burke Hospice, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690 of Burke County Friends for Animals, 417 Kirksey Dr., Morganton, NC 28655.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices. com