Jai was a member of Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church, a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School and was certified as a welder at the Paducah Vocational School. He was self-employed and widely known as Jai “Da Pictureman” Franklin for his fine work in photography through his business, Nu Image Photography. His desire to unite the community placed him serving with “Community Coming Together.”
Jai, always DRESSED TO THE MAX, loved travelling, collecting, and taking care of his favorite cars. He liked to frequent Mexican bars and smoke his favorite cigars, White/Hennessy. Jai could frequently be seen riding his motorcycle and, of course, taking pictures while making his clients smile with delight.
Jai was preceded in death by his parents, James Watkins and Erma Jean Young Franklin; one sister, Martha Jean Franklin; one brother, Charlie Franklin, Jr.; Maternal Grandparents, Julius Young and Ruth Virginia Wilson Young; Paternal Grandparents, Etta Mae Weatherspoon Jenkins and Willie Watkins; and one nephew, Malcolm Hensley.
Jai leaves to cherish his love and family devotion One Son, DaBrien Fitzgerald of Atlanta, GA; One Sister, Taronica George of Paducah, KY; Four Nephews, Ellis “Tubbs” Franklin, Michael Robinson, Fazion Leggs, and Aerion Jones; Two Nieces, Terajae Woolen and Danija Woolen; Three Great Nieces, Several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Other Relatives; and Devoted Friends, Rocky Hayes and Todd Lamb.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church of Paducah with Reverend Raynarldo Henderson and Reverend Michael Wade officiating.
Friends may also call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.
Burial will follow in the Birmingham Cemetery in Draffenville, KY.
