When people hear the name “Franklin family,” they think of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Her voice touched millions of hearts around the world. But there was another Franklin family member who lived a very different life. Her name was Carl Ellan Kelley.
Carl Ellan was Aretha’s half-sister. While Aretha sang on big stages and won many awards, Carl Ellan chose a quiet life. She stayed away from cameras and fame. Her story is not about music or concerts. It is about strength, family, and living life on your own terms.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Carl Ellan Kelley (born Carl Ellan Franklin) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 17, 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Date of Death | January 30, 2019 (Age 78) |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack |
| Father | Reverend C.L. Franklin |
| Mother | Mildred Jennings |
| Famous Sister | Aretha Franklin (Queen of Soul) |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Children | Charles G. Smith, Herman E. Wheatley III, Vivian Smith |
| Burial Place | Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan |
Early Life and a Difficult Start
Carl Ellan Kelley was born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her father was Reverend C.L. Franklin, a famous Baptist preacher and civil rights leader. Many people loved and respected him. He had a voice that people called the “Million Dollar Voice.”
But Carl Ellan’s birth came from a very sad situation. Her mother, Mildred Jennings, was only 12 years old when Reverend Franklin assaulted her. He was 25 years old at that time. This terrible event created a difficult start for Carl Ellan’s life.
Because of these circumstances, Carl Ellan did not grow up with her father. Her grandmother, Cornelious Mayo Hill Berry, raised her instead. She grew up knowing who her father was, but they did not have a relationship for many years.
Meeting Her Father
Carl Ellan spent her childhood away from her father and his other children. When she was about 17 or 18 years old, she decided to contact him. This was a big step for her.
The meeting was not easy. Reverend Franklin’s other children in Detroit did not know about Carl Ellan. They were surprised to learn they had another sister. Some family members welcomed her warmly. Franklin’s mother, known as “Big Mama,” was kind to Carl Ellan. But not everyone was happy about the news at first.
Over time, Carl Ellan visited her father more often. He even invited her to join him on his preaching trips. Their relationship grew stronger. Even though she moved to different cities like New Orleans and Seattle, they stayed connected.
Life Away from the Spotlight
Carl Ellan had five half-siblings from her father’s side. These were Erma, Carolyn, Aretha, Cecil, and Vaughn. Most of them worked in music. Aretha became one of the most famous singers in the world. Erma Franklin sang “Piece of My Heart,” which later became a big hit. Carolyn was a talented songwriter.
But Carl Ellan chose a different path. She did not want to be a singer or be famous. Instead, she became a nurse. She spent many years caring for sick people and helping them feel better. This work was important to her. She found meaning in helping others, not in being on stage.
Carl Ellan got married and had children. She had two sons, Charles G. Smith and Herman E. Wheatley III. She also had a daughter named Vivian Smith, who sadly died before her mother. Later in life, Carl Ellan became a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. Her family loved her very much.
People who knew Carl Ellan said she was a caring and loving person. She was a good mother and grandmother. She valued peace and privacy. While her sister Aretha lived under bright lights and faced cameras every day, Carl Ellan enjoyed a simple, quiet life.
Her Relationship with Aretha
Carl Ellan and Aretha Franklin were half-sisters, but their lives were very different. When Carl Ellan first met the family, Aretha was already becoming famous. By that time, Aretha had her own children and a growing music career.
The two sisters were not very close. They did not spend much time together. Aretha’s life was full of concerts, recording sessions, and public appearances. Carl Ellan preferred to stay home with her family.
However, Aretha did recognize Carl Ellan as her sister. In 2014, Aretha wrote a will. In that will, she left $50,000 to Carl Ellan. This showed that Aretha remembered her sister and wanted to take care of her. Even though they lived different lives, there was still a family connection between them.
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Final Years and Passing
As Carl Ellan got older, she faced health problems. She had issues with her heart for several years. But she continued living quietly in Detroit, Michigan, surrounded by her family.
On January 30, 2019, Carl Ellan passed away from a heart attack. She was 78 years old. Her death did not make big news headlines. Most people did not know about her because she had lived such a private life. But for her family, it was a great loss.
Carl Ellan is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. This is the same cemetery where her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, and her famous sister, Aretha Franklin, are also buried. In death, as in life, she remained connected to her family.
A Legacy of Quiet Strength
Carl Ellan Kelley’s life teaches us something important. You do not need to be famous to live a good life. You do not need to be on television or in magazines to matter. Carl Ellan chose her own path. She chose to help people as a nurse. She chose to be a good mother and grandmother. She chose privacy over fame.
Her story also reminds us that every famous person has family members with their own stories. Behind Aretha Franklin’s success were parents, siblings, and relatives. Each person had their own struggles and victories. Carl Ellan was one of those people.
Today, more people are learning about Carl Ellan Kelley. Her story is becoming known. She may not have sung soul music like her sister, but she lived with her own kind of strength. She survived a difficult childhood and built a life filled with love and purpose.
In the end, Carl Ellan Kelley showed us that there are many ways to live a meaningful life. Fame is just one way. Kindness, hard work, and love for family are just as important. Her quiet life was just as valuable as any life lived in the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Carl Ellan Kelley?
Carl Ellan Kelley was the half-sister of famous singer Aretha Franklin. She was born in 1940 and worked as a nurse. Unlike her famous sister, she lived a very private and quiet life away from the public eye.
2. How was Carl Ellan Kelley related to Aretha Franklin?
Carl Ellan and Aretha Franklin were half-sisters. They shared the same father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, but had different mothers. Carl Ellan’s mother was Mildred Jennings, and Aretha’s mother was Barbara Siggers Franklin.
3. Did Carl Ellan Kelley work in music like her siblings?
No, Carl Ellan did not work in music. While most of her half-siblings, including Aretha, Erma, and Carolyn, were singers and songwriters, Carl Ellan chose to become a nurse and help sick people instead.
4. When did Carl Ellan Kelley die?
Carl Ellan Kelley died on January 30, 2019, at the age of 78. She died from a heart attack in Detroit, Michigan, where she had been living with her family.
5. Did Aretha Franklin leave anything to Carl Ellan Kelley?
Yes, Aretha Franklin remembered her half-sister in her will. In 2014, Aretha wrote a will that left $50,000 to Carl Ellan Kelley. This showed that Aretha recognized their family connection and wanted to help her sister.
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