Who are Aretha Franklin’s siblings?
ARETHA Franklin was one of the greatest female singer songwriters of all time - known for her enduring legacy, music and activism.
The came from a large, blended family and was one of six children to Civil Rights activist C.L Franklin. But who were Aretha's siblings and where are they now?
Who are Aretha Franklin's siblings?
Carolyn Franklin
Carolyn Ann Franklin, born May 13, 1944, was an American songwriter and singer from Michigan. Detroit.
Besides her own musical success, Carolyn was the fourth and last child of Barbara and the Rev Clarence LaVaughan (CL) Franklin.
She is also the younger sister of soul legend Aretha.
In 1976, Carolyn retired from the music industry, on occasion re-emerging from retirement to sing with Aretha.
Carolyn appeared as one of Aretha's background singers in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers and was a backing vocalist on Paul King's 1987 album Joy.
Carolyn died of breast cancer at Aretha's Scenic Court home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on April 25, 1989.
And like other deceased family members she is interred at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery on North Woodward Avenue.
Erma Franklin
Much like her other two sisters, Erma Vernice Franklin – born on March 13, 1938 – was an American gospel and soul singer.
She was the elder sister of Aretha Franklin.
Erma's best known recording was the original version of Piece of My Heart, written and produced by Bert Berns, and recorded in 1967.
She was nominated for a Grammy Award, while a cover version of the same song was recorded the following year by Big Brother And The Holding Company, with the lead vocal by Janis Joplin.
She died of lung cancer in Detroit, Michigan on September 7, 2002, at the age of 64.
Cecil Franklin
Not much is know about Aretha's older brother, Reverend Cecil Franklin.
Cecil was born in 1940 in Michigan and became the assistant Pastor to New Bethel Baptist Church on Linwood Blvd in Detroit, Michigan.
His and Aretha's father, Detroit preacher and civil rights activist Reverend C. L. Franklin, was the Senior Pastor at the church.
Cecil Franklin died on December 26, 1989 and - like his sisters - is interred at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery on North Woodward Avenue.
Carl Ellan Kelley
As noted by his biographer, Nick Salvatore, C.L. fathered a daughter, Carl Ellan Kelley.
She was born on November 17, 1940.
Her mother was Mildred Jennings, a 12-year-old member of C.L's congregation.
Carol Ellan was born during his tenure at New Salem Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the last of his children to survive him.
She died on January 30, 2019, aged 78.
Vaughn Franklin
Vaughn Cavanaugh Franklin was born on December 24, 1934.
Vaughn was Barbara Sieggers Franklin's son from a previous relationship, whom C. L. adopted shortly after their marriage.
He is the half brother of Erma, Aretha, Cecil and Carol, and the step-brother of Carl.
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Vaughn did not learn that C. L. Franklin was not his father until 1951.
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He served in Vitenam and was a member of the United States Air Force.
Aretha's half brother passed away on November 12, 2002, aged 67 and was buried at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama.