Franklin Brotherton

Franklin Eugene Brotherton, 74, of Troutman, NC after a courageous year long fight to live, left this earth for Heaven, Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 from Autumn Care Nursing Home and is no longer in pain. Frank was born in November 11, 1936 in Iredell County and was the son of the late Isaac Arther Brotherton and Ellen Nancy Weatherman Brotherton. He attended Iredell County schools and served his country proudly in the U.S. Marine Corp and won the Southeastern Pacific Boxing Championship while stationed in Hawaii. He was proud to have worked for Rubbermaid and Toter for many years and had such fond memories of his fellow workers. Frank was also a championship softball player, who made many new friends during his playing years especially George Smith and his brothers. Frank was a lifelong Atlanta Braves supporter and avid race fan of Dale Earnhardt and now Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He was also a great Sprint Outlaw Series driver and team owner winning championship titles in both areas. Franks love of traditional bluegrass music led to him forming the bluegrass band, Blue Grass Image, which he loved playing and singing with. Mr. Brotherton is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Knight Brotherton of the home, one son, Danny Brotherton, one sister, Artience Chapman, step-daughter, Lashay Knight, two grandsons, Jericho and Ethan and two step-sons, Scott Smith and Chad Smith. Frank was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Vera Brotherton, one stepson, William Jackson Smith, four sisters, Mildred, Flossie, Geraldine, Lois and four brothers, Richard, David, Charlie and Junior. Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ben Black officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery with full military rites. The family will receive friends Thursday evening 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Lashay Knight, Phillip Beasley, Allan Hayes, Vince Hayes, Andy Chapman and Jasper Farmer. The family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Care for their love and support, especially Frank and Frances special friend, Tasha. Also to Dr. Joshi, who if not for him our family could not have survived this journey. The family sends many thanks to our Wilco and Subway friends, Tammy, Julie, Kat, Terry Pardew, Stephanie, Pat, Katie and Melinda, Frank's partners in crime and our new friends at Hospice. Words can never express enough thanks to Frank's closest friend of many years, Jasper Farmer for all his prayers and support. True friends come along only once in a lifetime and we are blessed to Jewelle Hayes in our family. God bless all the churches who kept Frank and our family on their prayer lists and Rev. Black for visiting Frank in the hospital and nursing home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.