It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of a true legend in the Fire Service. Louise Franklin, former member of the C & B Fire Department in Ladson has passed away. “Weezy” as she was affectionally known by all who knew and loved her was by all standards the mainstay of the C & B department for 50 years. She kept tabs on the finances of the department and mentored so many young and old, that it would be difficult to come up with a number of us who simply had a better life because of her. She was a true American who served our country, was a dedicated wife and mother, actually to many more “children” than she ever realized. She also spent a lot of time teaching Fire Chiefs to lead and manage over her fifty-year fire department career. When I was a young Chief, I leaned on her often for advice and she never let me down.
Louise was the epitome of the old saying, “Do you want to talk to the man in charge or the woman that knows what’s really going on”? She was proud of the men and women of C & B and she was a proud member herself.
My most recent and fondest memory of her was a few years ago. C & B was having their awards banquet at the Summerville Country Club and she and I sat together. Her husband, Herb, was out of town calling a square dance somewhere and I kidded her that it took me 50 years to finally get her out on a date.
We will get to say our goodbyes later this week, but it just won’t be the same without her here. So long, my dear friend. I look forward to seeing you again one day. Gerald