A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Leola B. Washington Franklin Brown of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021, will be held on Friday, June 18th at 1:30 p.m. at New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, 1605 N. Nebraska, Pastor Ben Curry, officiating. The interment will be held in Rest Haven Memorial Park. Mrs. Leola was born in Tallahassee, Florida to the late Henry and Birdie Washington. She was the fifth of seven children born to this union. She attended St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church with her parents and siblings. At the age of 14, she gave her life to God and was baptized by the late Rev. Eason in Tallahassee, Florida. As a girl growing up, she enjoyed fishing and swimming in the local ponds of Leon County. Leola attended St. Mary Elementary School and Lincoln High School. She remained in Tallahassee for two years after high school before moving to Tampa, Florida to raise her family. After some time, she enrolled in Sunlight Beauty School under Ms. Billie Roberson. Once she completed this course of study, she became the owner and operator of "Leola's Beauty Nook" located on 29th Street in Tampa. At this location, she had up to six operators who worked under her supervision. She remained at this location until she built a salon on her property and relocated to 27th Avenue. Leola retired as beautician in the late 1980's. However, she continued to lease the salon to her colleagues. During her career as a popular beautician in the city, she also held positions at US Phosphate, Singleton Shrimp Company, Sharon Textron Company and United Automated Technology Group. She had a strong work ethic which she learned from her parents who owned and operated a vegetable farm that allowed them to educate and provide for their children. Leola worked the farm along with her siblings to help support the family. Due to her work experience she would often say "those who work not-have not". "Lo-Lo", as she was affectionately called by her friends and family was a social butterfly who enjoyed cooking, baking, fishing and entertaining. She loved the beach, sitting by her pool and taking her boat out to the lake for relaxation and fishing. She will always be remembered for her kind heart, giving spirit and love for family, church, community, and friends. We will all miss those delicious coconut, chocolate layer and lemon pound cakes. To her church family at New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, she was respectfully referred to as Mother Brown. She acquired this title under the late Rev. Lane. Mother Leola Franklin Brown was a member of New Salem since arriving in Tampa. She sang in the #2 Choir and was a member of the Mother Board. Even though she has been unable to attend church for some time due to age and health issues, the title Mother Brown remained with her. Mother Brown joined New Salem Primitive Baptist Church when the late Rev. Scott was Pastor, and the church was located on 2nd Avenue.

Having lived for 98 years, she survived her parents, siblings, two husbands (Roy Franklin and Deacon Johnny Brown) and her oldest son, Johnny Lee Franklin. She is survived by her son, Arthur Jerome Franklin; grandson, Nekenja B. Franklin; great granddaughters, Keyla Leigh Lee Franklin, Nasenia Franklin; great grandson, Nekenja B. Franklin, Jr.; special granddaughter, Tanika Calhoun; nieces, Catherine Masovat and children, Edith Hill and children, Wyneva Austin and children, Roberta Harris and children, Ann Braxton and children, Ernestine Charles McPherson and Lawry Johnson; special daughters, Patricia Jackson Hicks, Betty Jackson and Ronda Ronzell Mutino; special nieces, Cathy McCrae and Trina Tucker.

Visitation
Chapel of Hope, Aikens Funeral Home
Thursday, June 17, 2021
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
New Salem P.B. Church
Friday, June 18, 2021
02:00 PM
1605 N. Nebraska
Tampa, FL 33602