Janis Kaye Franklin

Janis “Kaye” Franklin, 80, of Fort Smith, AR passed away at her home on January 12, 2026. She was born on June 12, 1945 in Poteau, Oklahoma to Robert and Alice (Crouch) Borden. Kaye grew up and attended school in LeFlore. Kaye married Jack Franklin on July 1, 1963 in Muskogee, OK. Kaye received her Bachelor’s Degree in education from Long Beach State and later her Master’s from Northeastern State. She was a long-time teacher and later a counselor at LeFlore Public Schools. Kaye was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ft. Smith and was actively involved with the senior adults.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jack Franklin.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 16, 2026, at LeFlore Baptist Church, with burial to follow in LeFlore City Cemetery in LeFlore, Oklahoma under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, AR.

The family will visit with friends from 4-6 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home, 4500 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, AR.

Kaye is survived by her only child, Mark Franklin and his wife Kim, and her two grandchildren, Tanner and Cooper Franklin all of Eufaula, OK.; a sister, Bettye Sinner of Montrose, CO; and many other special relatives and friends.

Pallbearers are Brian Franklin, John Allison, Tanner and Cooper Franklin, and J.P. Nolen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children, Inc., 3800 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73112-9750.