Obituary of Toni Lynn Mariacher Franklin

Toni Lynn Mariacher Franklin, 62, of Riverside died Aug. 13, 2024. Toni was graphic arts director and executive assistant at Partners by Design Inc., a boutique marketing firm based in Pell City. Her career spanned more than 30 years in the printing industry as print production artist, manager and art director. She was a graduate of the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and studied at Penn State University and University of Alabama at Birmingham. At her core, Toni was an artist. She could see the creation before most of us could even muster the idea for it. She turned the world around her into her canvas, taking the simplest elements and turning them into her own little masterpiece. It might be an empty store window that magically becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas, an advertisement that compels a reader to take a second look or even a specially designed birthday wish for one of the grandchildren. As graphic arts director for Partners, she created amazing ads for its magazines, Discover St. Clair and LakeLife 24/7. She loaned her talent to countless marketing projects for the company and to a host of community events, like Boo Bash, Salute to Veterans, Breaking Barriers and the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama. Museum of Pell City owes her a debt of thanks for much of the beautiful graphics work in its exhibits. Many of the designs in Partners’ LakeLife 24/7 apparel line are the handiwork of Toni and now worn by thousands of people because she was able to capture the memories and experiences of their perception of lake life in a single design. To her friends, family and colleagues, she was known – and loved – for her enormous heart. She was a giver, always putting the needs of others before her own. She never recognized the enormity of her own value, but those around her always will. Memorials may be made to Museum of Pell City via www.museumofpellcity.org or by mail, P.O. Box 129 Pell City, Alabama 35125. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tim Franklin, parents, Donald and Barbara Mariacher, and sister, Janet. She is survived by her brothers, Blake Mariacher (Gwen) of Jamestown, PA, and Clint Dennis of Texas; sister, Helen Ross (Mike) of Pennsylvania; stepchildren, T.J. Franklin (Leslie Morrow) of Pell City, Megan Franklin (Jessie Roebuck) of Ragland and Holly Debo; grandchildren, Victorian Mae Franklin (Tori), Timothy Franklin III (Trey), Preston Franklin, Vincent Messer, Cheyanne Messer and Leland Messer; and partner, Tommy Shiflett. Visitation will be at Usrey Funeral Home Pell City at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2024, followed by a 2:00 p.m. funeral service. Interment will be at Seddon Cemetery. Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home of Pell City is in charge of arrangements.