Franklin North Carolina Lions History

Franklin, North Carolina Lions Club

About Us

Beginning in 1917, the association of Lions Clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give something back to their communities. The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. 

After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and code of ethics were approved. Among the objects adopted in those early years was one that read, "No club shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object." 

This call for unselfish service to others remains one of the association's main tenets. Just three years after its formation, the association became international when the first club in Canada was established in 1920. Major international expansion continued as clubs were established, particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the 1950s and '60s. In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired. 

Chartered in 1939, the Franklin Lion's Club has proudly carried on the vision of Lionism for over 80 years

If you need eyecare and can't afford an examination or glasses, we may be able to help. Simply CLICK HERE for additional information.

 

Franklin Lions Club Monthly Meetings

 

The Franklin Lions meet the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Louisa Chapel Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 6:00pm.

Directions: take 64 West. Louisa Chapel is the first left after you go through stoplight at Sloan Road. Stay on Louisa Chapel Road. When you pass September Embers Dr. on left church is on left ... 470 Louisa Chapel Road.

 

Franklin Lions Club Distinctions

 

The Franklin, North Carolina Lion's have had three District Governor's come from the club:


1952 - Helronymous Bueck, 1967 - Howard Haithcock, 1996 - Stan Schwartz

2023 - Howard Haithcock Inducted into NC Lions Hall of Frame

 

 

Melvin Jones Fellows


Bette Beaman 
Dwight Beaman* 
Ruth Hensz-Stilwell 
Dave Jones
Bill Mason* 
Robert Rogers*
Michaelle Sciberras
Jim Williams 
Richard Young

 

William L. Woolard
Partner In Service


Ruth Hensz-Stilwell 
Tony Angel

 

Sid L. Scruggs III
Beacon of Hope


Tony Angel

 

Jack Stickley Fellows


Howard Haithcock* 
Rick Norton
Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
Richard Young 
Bill Mason* 
Jim Williams 
Verlin Swafford*
Donnie Wallace
Bob Rogers*
Bette Lou Schwartz
Bill Martin*
Michaelle Sciberras
Tony Angel (2)
Gene Cocke*
Dave Jones 
Judy Burnett

(*Deceased)

 

Feel the Pride

 

We are all called to serve our fellow man. Some Lions are motivated to serve those in need in our local community, some are called to serve in the broader community of Western NC and beyond. Whatever your calling, we are glad that you are a Lion and have the opportunity to serve.

We invite you to join with us and become a member of your nearest lions club. You can learn more by clicking here.

 

"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else."

Melvin Jones, Lions Club Founder

 

 

Club Presidents

 

1939 - Thomas Angel
1940 - Frank M. Bloxham 
1941 - T.D. Bryson, Jr. 
1942 - Claude Bolton 
1943 - Charles Dowdle 
1944 - Claude Bolton 
1945 - Willard Pendergrass 
1946 - Mac Ray Whitaker 
1947 - Robert Gaines 
1948 - Pritchard Smith 
1949 - Frank B. Duncan

1950 - Paul H. Russell 
1951 - Willam G. Crawford 
1952 - J. Frank Martin 
1953 - Ken Hooker 
1954 - Elbert Angel 
1955 - Jack Angel 
1956 - Robert Korti 
1957 - G. Wayne Faulkner 
1958 - Verlon Swafford 
1959 - Harry Corbin

1960 - Prelo Dryman 
1961 - J.L. Hill 
1962 - James C. Crisp 
1963 - Bob Corbin 
1964 - Howard S. Haithcock 
1965 - L.C. Howard, Jr. 
1966 - Glenn Clark 
1967 - Merritt Fouts 
1968 - Joe DeBlaker 
1969 - David Simpson

 

Club Presidents

 

1970 - Paul Vance 
1971 - Clyde Poole 
1972 - Roy Cunningham 
1973 - Rufus Bardinelli 
1974 - Grady Colaninger 
1975 - Fred Foster 
1976 - Joe R. Morris 
1977 - Ken Jones 
1978 - Ed Orr 
1979 - Willis Teem

1980 - James Parrish 
1981 - James Williams 
1982 - Doug Huntley 
1983 - Aaron Buchanan 
1984 - Pete Haithcock 
1985 - Doug Tallent 
1986 - Harold Huscusson 
1987 - Gene Cocke 
1988 - Terry Womack 
1989 - Rick Norton

1990 - Carl Gruber 
1991 - Randy Gregory 
1992 - Bill Mason 
1993 - Joe Collins 
1994 - Stan Schwartz 
1995 - Donnie Wallace 
1996 - Dwight Beaman 
1997 - Ben Swafford 
1998 - Bill Davidson 
1999 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell

 

Club Presidents

 

2000 - Roger Stewart 
2001 - Bette Beaman 
2002 - JoAnne Stewart 
2003 - Al Grant 
2004 - John Fay 
2005 - Brian Hylton 
2006 - Dave Jones 
2007 - Bill Reesey
2008 - Tony Angel
2009 - Tony Angel

2010 - Richard Young
2011 - Dave Jones
2012 - Ruth Hensz-StilWell
2013 - Pete Haithcock 
2014 - Ellen McCall
2015 - Jason Arnold
2016 - John Hamlin
2017 - Sue Kozma
2018 - Judy Burnett
2019 - Jason Arnold

 

2020 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
2021 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
2022 - Ruth Hensz-Stilwell
2023 - Dave Jones