McDonald Franklin Jr., 85, of Richmond, passed away on May 13, 2023, in Marietta, Ga. He was named after his Dad, and born the youngest of six children to McDonald, Sr. and Alibee Franklin on June 3, 1937, in Brunswick County, Va. He was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age. Mac was a social worker, college professor, and administrator. He attended Scott Lewis Elementary School in Freeman, Va., and James Solomon Russell High School in Lawrenceville, Va. In high school he played upright string bass in the orchestra and tuba in the marching band.

He earned his undergraduate social science degree from St. Paul's College in 1959, while he continued to work the family farm and he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Mac’s first child, Larry Dugger was born while Mac was in college.

Upon graduation, Mac entered the field of social work and traveled across the State of Virginia to help people who needed assistance with various aspects of life. He and the former Hazel Christian were united in Holy matrimony July 1960 at her home in New Kent County, Va. They would remain married for 49 years until her death.

To their union, Eric (1961) and Lisa (1966) were born. He was extremely proud of them both, and their accomplishments, especially their graduations from Hampton University. He always stressed the importance of taking advantage of educational opportunities as he was the first member of his family, and in fact, the first male in his entire local community, to graduate from college.

After earning his Master’s degree in social work from VCU, Mac taught in the School of Social Work where he gained many life-long friends. In 1972, he accepted the newly-created position of Assistant Director of Program Development and Evaluation at the Southside Va. Training Center for the Mentally Retarded, where he served until his retirement. He became an in-demand lecturer and mentor to many in the field of mental retardation. In 1995, Mac was honored to be inducted as a Fellow into the American Association on Mental Retardation.

Mac was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Hazel Franklin and beloved daughter, Lisa Franklin Nash.

Mac is survived by two sons, Larry Dugger of Deer Park, NY and Eric Franklin (Rané) of Atlanta, Ga; brother, Ahmed Salim of Freeman, Va.; as much as he loved his children, his absolute joy were his grandchildren, Tanya Dugger, Courtney Dugger, Charles Nash III (CJ), Evan Franklin, Erica Franklin and Elisa Franklin; great grands, Devon, Dillon and Delanie; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, mentees and friends.

Remains rest at Scott’s Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25 at First African Baptist Church, 2700 Hanes Avenue. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va 23060.