Sara Frances Franklin-Lash, 69, was born in Akron, Ohio to Leonard Franklin and Mamie Jordan Franklin on May 7, 1950. She was reared in the Akron Public Schools and graduated from Buchtel High School in 1968. She then went on to matriculate to the University of Akron earning a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology, and then going on to earn a Master of Education from Wooster College.

Professionally, she taught secondary education in the Akron Public Schools, Akron Christian School, and briefly served as a principal with New Hope Christian School. She also briefly taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Akron. She worked for the City of Akron in Parks and Recreation at Rankin, Perkins Pool, Ed Davis Community Center, and Hereford Parks. Additionally, she was a record sales person for Time Warner Cable before deciding to dedicate more time to the raising of her children.  Toward the end of her career, she served as a substitute teacher for both public and private school systems in the Greater Akron area and Columbiana County. Her primary passion was doing missionary work in her local community distributing T-shirts and bibles to people throughout the Northeast Ohio area, Africa, etc.

On February 5, 1972, she entered into holy matrimony to Malcolm C. Lash I. Their union produced 6 children. Sara committed her life to Christian service and teaching the youth in both her local community and church. She faithfully served in many capacities at the Stones Deliverance Temple Church. She and her husband raised their children in this ministry under the leadership of Pastor Mary L. Stone. Sara devoted her time and energy to the mission she founded, Stone Missions. Through this mission she engaged in prison ministry by encouraging incarcerated inmates and writing letters to judges on their behalf, either seeking proper treatment and/or sentence reductions.

She was preceded in death by her son, Benjamin D. Lash; father, Leonard Franklin; sisters, Sandra Franklin and Maxine Brooks. She leaves to cherish her memory and to carry her legacy, her husband and closest companion of 47 years, Malcolm C. Lash I; 5 children, Eufrancia (Wanda) Lash, Sierjie Lash, Dr. Malcolm Lash, Mary Lash (Demetrius Scott), and Minnie Lash; grandchildren, Erin Lash, Eufrancia Justin Lash, Mason Jenkins, Demarius Scott, Jonathan Lash, Isabell Carling, Hallie Lash, Dominic and DeJanay Scott, Cayhil and Carmyn Grubbs; mother and best friend, Dr. Mamie R. Toole; sisters, Cheryle Franklin, Myrna Johnson, Kathy Jiminez, Kella (DeJale) Solomon; brother, Wayne Jordan; brothers-in-law, James V. Lash II and Daryl Lash of Capitol Hts., MD; sister-in-law, Dr. Sharon C. Lash of Moline, IL; special friends, Michiko Campbell and Rene McCants; special nieces, Carmella and Adrienne Johnson; and a host of aunts, cousins, friends, and many others.