Mr. Franklin Early, age 83 of Cedar Bluff, passed away on December 12, 2025, at his residence. 

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 15th at the Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ric Manning officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Cherokee Memory Gardens. 

Survivors include his wife, Colleen Hammett Early; Children, Carolyn (Steven) Souder, Jimmy (Kim) Early, Tim (Lisa) Early; Grandchildren, Jessica (Jeremy) Davis, Casey (Jarad) Holcomb, Bryan Early, Keiley (Bryce) Youmans, Hannah Kitchens; Great-grandchildren, Wil Davis, Brayleigh Davis, Ross Holcomb, Hallie Kate Davis, and Emma Holcomb. Several nieces and nephews also survive. 

Pallbearers are Billy Don DeBerry, Jeff Hammett, Richard Early, Jeremy Davis, Jarad Holcomb, and Bryce Youmans. 

Mr. Early was born in Cherokee County to the late W.B. and Cora Sitton Early. He was a dedicated member for over 60 years of the UA Local Union 72 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Technicians out of Atlanta. Franklin was also a proud member of Fairhaven Baptist Church in Cedar Bluff. He will be remembered for his love for gardening, farming, and quail hunting. 

He is preceded in death by his brother, Harper Early, and two sisters, Martha Nell Daniel and Alice Hope Latta. 

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in his name to Fairhaven Baptist Church, located at 590 County Road 51, Cedar Bluff, AL 35959, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

The family would like to extend special thanks to SouthernCare New Beacon hospice care, especially Amanda, Julie and Susan. 

Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

www.cherokeememorialfuneralhome.com