Ottamiese "Ottie" Melissa Franklin

Funeral services for Ottamiese Hazelwood Mercer Franklin will be held on Friday, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial in Shreveport. Family visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 8 from 12:00-12:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel with open visitation following from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Ottie was born October 21, 1931 in Opelousas, Louisiana to Louis and Annie Hazelwood. She joyfully went home to be with her Savior Jesus on Dec. 4 after a short illness.

Ottie married Bob Mercer in 1951 and they enjoyed 46 wonderful years together raising their five children. In 2006, she married an old friend, Billy Franklin, and acquired another set of kids and grandkids to love.

She was an active member of Grand Cane Baptist Church. While living in Shreveport, Ottie was a 27 year employee of Commercial National Bank and a longtime member of Brookwood Baptist Church.

Ottie is reunited in heaven with her loving and lucky husbands, Bobby (Bob) Mercer and William (Billy) Franklin; her beloved daughter, Vallie Hammett; long-missed siblings Vera Hazlewood Beall, LH Hazlewood Jr., Calvin Hazlewood, Helen Hazlewood, and Carl Janes; son-in-law Gary Hammett; and countless other family and friends.

Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are her sons, Ferrell Mercer and wife Debby; Larry Mercer and wife Laura; daughters, Robbi Gilly and husband Rick; and Bobbi Hill; 10 adoring grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; step-sons John Franklin and wife Jan; Cole Franklin and wife Lottie; sister, Leona Janes; and numerous nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of her giving spirit, donations can be made to the HUB Urban Ministries online at thehubministry.com or via mail to 4110 Youree Dr, Shreveport, LA 71105.