Barbara Siggers Franklin

Barbara Vernice Franklin (née Siggers; June 29, 1917 – March 7, 1952) was an American gospel singer and pianist, the mother of American singer–songwriter Aretha Franklin and wife of C. L. Franklin, the African-American Baptist minister of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit.

Life and career She performed in church and later worked as a pianist.

Barbara Siggers married Clarence LaVaughn Franklin on June 3, 1936. The couple had four children: Erma (1938–2002), Cecil (1940–1989), Aretha (1942–2018), and Carolyn Franklin (1944–1988). Prior to the marriage, Barbara had a son, Vaughn (1934–2002) from a previous relationship, whom Rev. Franklin adopted shortly after their marriage. Barbara was a gifted pianist and, according to Mahalia Jackson, one of the finest gospel singers in the country. Though her primary role was that of wife and mother, she actively participated in the musical affairs of the churches where C. L. served as pastor.

Following marital trouble stemming from C. L.'s numerous and ongoing infidelities, including fathering a daughter (named Carol Ellan Kelley [née Jennings]) by Mildred Jennings, a 12-year-old congregant in Memphis in 1940, Antonique Smith played Barbara Franklin in Genius third season for National Geographic in 2021.