Gertrude Franklin is the mother of Kirk Franklin. Gertrude’s son Kirk Franklin is a successful and popular songwriter, choir director, gospel singer, rapper, record producer, and author. He is an actor and producer. He has appeared in some films and TV Series including Sister, Sister, Joyful Noise, Kingdom Business, and The Night Before Christmas. He is known for his work in Norbit (2007), Any Given Sunday (1999), and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996).
Gertrude Franklin: Bio Summary
| Name | Gertrude Franklin |
| Date of birth | N/A |
| Gender | Female |
| Famous as | mother of Kirk Franklin |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Spouse | Jack Franklin |
| Children | Kirk Franklin |
| Parents | N/A |
Gertrude Franklin Adopted Kirk Franklin
Gertrude Franklin is the woman who raised Kirk Dewayne Franklin. Gertrude is not the mother of Kirk but she is said to be his aunt. She took Kirk in after he was abandoned as a baby by his mother. According to Kirk Franklin, he was born Kirk Mathis but his name was changed to Kirk Smith when his biological mother married a man in the military so he ‘could be on his insurance’.
Kirk Franklin said that he was dumped but Gertrude Franklin who was a widow accepted him and legally adopted him. She gave him the last name of her husband Jack Franklin, who was deceased. Gertrude did her very best to take good care of Kirk Franklin as her own child. She supported Kirk by raising money from recycled aluminum cans. She raised money for Kirk to take piano lessons from the age of four.
Kirk Franklin was able to read and write music while also playing by ear. The family were devout Christians and reportedly members of Mount Rose Baptist Church in Fort Worth. When Kirk was seven years old, Gertrude Franklin turned down Kirk’s first contract. Kirk became part of the church choir and became music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir at age 11.
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Kirk Franklin rebelled against his strict religious upbringing when he was a teenager. He was 15 years when he witnessed the death of a friend by shooting. Devastated by the death of his friend, Kirk returned to the church, joined the choir, and again directed the choir. He became the co-founder of the gospel group, The Humble Hearts. Meanwhile, Gertrude is said to have been a singer and voice teacher by profession.
According to LA Times, Kirk Franklin said of his mother Gertrude Franklin: “She taught me everything. She taught me how to respect people and respect myself, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Gertrude Didn’t Live Long To Enjoy Kirk’s Success
Gertrude Franklin’s son Kirk Franklin is the recipient of numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, GMA Dove Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, and Stellar Awards. He is a 19-time Grammy Awards winner. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel ensembles such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) among many others.
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Unfortunately, Gertrude Franklin didn’t get to enjoy the success of Kirk Franklin. She passed away without hearing Kirk’s first song recorded. Kirk said in a post on his Instagram page: “She didn’t get to live to hear my first song recorded or to be swept off her feet by the many gifts I would’ve showered her with to show my appreciation for not only changing my name, but changing my life’s direction.”
What Happened To Kirk Franklin’s Mother, Gertrude Franklin?
Kirk Franklin’s mother, Gertrude Franklin who adopted him, is no longer alive. Details of her death are not known but according to a source, Gertrude died when Kirk was just 17 years old. The cause of her death is not known.
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Kirk Franklin Forgives his Father
Gertrude Franklin’s son Kirk Franklin was able to find a place in his heart to forgive his biological father whom he resented for putting him up for adoption. Kirk Franklin decided to let go of the past during his father’s final days on earth. He received an anonymous call that his father has 3 to 6 months to live. Kirk shared a picture of him embracing his father and kissing the top of his head. In a lengthy Instagram post in 2018, he wrote:
“So…..
Two days ago, I received an anonymous call that my biological father, who I never knew, has 3-6 months to live. I’ve lived my entire life hating this man. He and my biological mother gave me up for adoption, and it left me never feeling good enough….to this very day. I took my hate for him and used it as fuel to be the best father I could be for my own. But what I did wrong, is I never took that fuel, and turn it into forgiveness….and that is wrong.
Wrong for him, me, and the God I proclaim to represent. How can I preach what I don’t practice. So I flew to Houston yesterday to do that. It’s painful, it’s a process, but how disappointed I would be in myself for this man to leave this earth without being forgiven. He deserves to receive what God gives me everyday. Pray for him, and for me. God this is hard…I weep as I write.
Kirk Franklin’s father, Dwight Allen died at the age of 66 years. Kirk shared the news in an emotional Instagram video. He wrote the caption: “Do you remember the call I received a few months ago….? Dwight Allen 9.12.52.-10.15.18.🙏🏾”
Also Read: Caziah Franklin: Who Is Kirk Franklin’s Son?
Kirk Franklin Reveals He’s Finally Found His Biological Father in 2023
The Grammy-winning gospel musician’s new documentary revealed how, while working on his new album, he located his real biological dad after decades of searching. When he started working on his new album, he didn’t know what was in store for him.
“This is the first time I’ve had a behind-the-scenes videographer capturing content for the making of a project,” the Singer, says of working on his 13th album. “I recorded the first song in March. Then in April, everything shifted and became something I could have never planned for.“
Kirk Franklin’s cameras ended up capturing an intense emotional journey the Gospel star went on after suddenly learning who his real biological father was. He also saw it as an opportunity to reconnect with his estranged eldest son Kerrion, 35, whom he hadn’t seen in a decade.
The Melodies From Heaven singer has compiled the footage from these events into a short documentary streaming Sept. 15 on hisYouTube channelahead of the Oct. 6 release of his new album. Both projects are aptly titledFather’s Day per PEOPLE.
The singer shared that — at a family funeral in April 2023, which he didn’t attend — word got out about an attendee namedRichard Hubbardpreviously dating Kirk’s biological mother. Rumors subsequently circulated that he may be Kirk’s biological father, prompting them to complete a DNA test.
Ultimately, the DNA test proved that they were related. While en route to meet his biological father, Kirk Franklin marveled at how close they’d been the entire time.
“This man lives down the street from my recording studio. He lives in the same city that I work in. His house is adjacent to a house that my youngest son would go play at when he was in high school.”- The shade room reported
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