Gail Brenda Franklin's Obituary
Gail Brenda Martin was born on May 1, 1948, at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California to Reverend Jesse Lee Martin and Missionary Clarancy James Martin. Born a twin, she was the third of ten children and was raised in a loving Pentecostal home.
Gail received her primary and secondary education from the Oakland Unified School District, graduating from McClymond’s High School in 1966. As a young girl, she performed community service as a Brownie, through the Girls Scouts of the USA. She also took vocational training in pursuit of a licensed vocational nursing certificate through Peralta Community College District, which included an internship at Highland General Hospital.
As a child, she attended Good Samaritan Church of God in Christ (COGIC), and later was an active member of Zion’s Tabernacle COGIC, which her father founded and built. She spent much of her time distributing food to people in need through Zion’s food distribution program. She later attended Greater House of Prayer COGIC.
Gail met and married Robert Benjamin Franklin. From this union they were blessed with three daughters, twins Rhonda Felicia Franklin and Wanda Renee Franklin, and Nicole Yvette Franklin. She later married Charles Edward Young and remained married to him for over 17 years.
Gail was a proud civil servant. She started her career in government performing clerical work for the United States Mint, the Oakland Army Base, and Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. Although she enjoyed working for the government, she felt that her calling was to care for children. After undergoing training through BANANAS, Gail became a childcare provider. Over the years, she nurtured many of her nieces and nephews, their children, and a host of other kids from her church and community.
Gail Brenda Martin Franklin departed this life on February 20, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents Jesse Lee and Clarancy Mae Martin, and brothers Perry Roderick Martin, Gregory Stewart Martin, Vance Michael Martin Sr., Warren Keith Martin Sr., and Brandon Deree Martin. She leaves to mourn, her daughters: Rhonda Felicia Franklin, Wanda Renee Franklin, and Nicole Yvette Franklin; her only grandchild Andre Jamar Redmond (Vanessa); two great-grandsons Isaiah Charles Redmond and Jaiden Andre Redmond; her twin sister Gloria Sandra Martin-Taylor, and sisters Pamela Denise Martin-Bobo (Angel) and Paula Regina Martin, her brother Blair Edward Martin (Bernice); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
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