C. L. Franklin

C. L. Franklin
Franklin in 1975
Born
Clarence LaVaughn Walker

(1915-01-22)January 22, 1915
Died(1984-07-27)July 27, 1984 (aged 69)
Cause of deathComplications of gunshot wounds
Burial placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Detroit[1]
EducationJackson College (now Jackson State University)
Occupations
Years active1931–1979
Known forNew Bethel Baptist Church minister, father of Aretha Franklin
Spouses
Alene Gaines
(m. 1934; div. 1936)
(m. 1936; died 1952)
Children6, including Erma Franklin, Aretha Franklin, and Carolyn Franklin
Gospel Music and the Blues

Clarence LaVaughn Franklin (né Walker; January 22, 1915 – July 27, 1984) was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist.[2] Known as the man with the "Million-Dollar Voice", Franklin served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit from 1946 until he was shot and wounded in 1979. Franklin was the father of the American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin. He was also the father of five other children, including Vaughn Franklin, Erma Franklin, Cecil Franklin, Carolyn Franklin and Carol Ellan.

  1. ^ Zaniewski, Ann (August 20, 2018). "Aretha Franklin to join her family, Rosa Parks at Woodlawn Cemetery". Detroit Free Press.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 490. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.