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ABOUT US
At Franklin Memory Gardens, we believe a place of remembrance should offer more than permanence, it should offer peace. For more than six decades, our family has been honored to serve families by providing a serene, thoughtfully cared-for resting place where lives are remembered, stories are honored, and legacies are preserved with dignity and respect.
OUR VISION
WHAT WE DO
Our vision is to create and maintain a place where families feel comforted, supported, and at peace. We are committed to preserving a tranquil environment that invites reflection, honors faith and tradition, and stands as a lasting tribute for generations to come.
We provide compassionate guidance and professional care to families during life’s most tender moments. Franklin Memory Gardens offers both traditional ground burial and cremation options, along with beautifully designed garden spaces and memorial structures. Every detail of our grounds and services is handled with intention, ensuring each family’s needs, values, and wishes are met with dignity and understanding.
OUR STORY
Franklin Memory Gardens began in 1960–1961 when John C. Atkins—known to many as Jack—and two business partners developed the land with a vision of creating a place of peace, reflection, and lasting remembrance. The cemetery was formally incorporated in October 1961, and within a few years, Jack and his wife became the sole owners, establishing it as a family-owned and operated cemetery.
Over time, the grounds expanded to include thoughtfully designed spaces such as the Garden of Devotion (1961), the Garden of Meditation (1967), and the Garden of Prayer (1978), each offering a meaningful setting for reflection and honor. An on-site office opened in 1990, followed by the construction of a mausoleum in 1992, designed with future growth in mind.
Following Jack’s passing in 2009, leadership passed to his wife, Martha “Dot” Atkins, who served as President until 2011. The legacy then continued through their daughter, Carolyn Atkins Porter, who serves as President today. Most recently, cremation niches were added in 2024–2025 to meet the evolving needs of families.
Family-owned and operated since 1961, Franklin Memory Gardens remains rooted in care, continuity, and deep respect, honoring generations past, present, and future.