A nursing student who worked at Laurel was killed in an accident on Saturday afternoon.
Nandi Franklin, 30, who worked at the Laurel Surgery and Endoscopy Center, died at the accident scene on Interstate 75 in Monroe County, about 70 miles southeast of Atlanta.
She was loved by everyone at the operations center, said colleague Nina Phillips Smith, who referred to Franklin as her “work daughter”.
“I pray they catch this person who hit them,” said Smith. “It’s a tragic loss for us. When you are used to seeing them every day – that smile that could light up a room – it becomes difficult for us to get used to it. “
Casey Steele, Franklin’s best friend and colleague, said she was the cutest
young woman who might meet someone.
“She was calm and shy until you met her.”
said Steele. “Then she was funny, loud, caring … her smile could light up a room.”
Franklin had just started taking evening classes for her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She graduated from Meridian Community College’s surgical tech program, enrolled in the nursing program, and wanted to become a midwife. Steele said she was taking steps toward her goals for her and her boyfriend.
She was a wonderful and intelligent nurse, said Smith.
“She was cute, quiet, funny, and beautiful inside and out,” said Smith. “We are a close family here at our center. If one of us hurts, it affects all of us. It’s just a terrible blow. “
Colleague Veronica Shan’ta Johnson-Ramsey knew Franklin for four years and they instantly connected.
“She was a sweet person,” said Johnson-Ramsey. “I really enjoyed working with her. She was a great RN. She had a heart of gold. She was very selfless. “
Franklin had a great sense of humor and always laughed, Smith said.
“She never said an unkind word about anyone, no matter what,” said Smith. “She stayed optimistic, always happy, and smiled. She loved her family and was so proud of her brother (Fred Franklin) – that was her pride and joy. She followed him when he played for Jones and Southern Miss Baseball. “
Franklin graduated from West Lauderdale High School and started working at the Laurel Surgery and Endo Center in 2015. She was a resident of Pachuta.
Co-worker Wendy Cooley said Franklin was such a cute, kind person and calm, but when she met you she made you laugh and always brought snacks to work.
“Nandi loved to eat,” said Cooley. “We will miss your presence.”
At around 2:31 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, a silver Toyota sedan exited the south side of the freeway, drove into the northbound lanes and, according to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, collided with Franklin’s vehicle headed north.
“She was so nice and didn’t deserve any of it,” said Smith.
For information on the identity or location of the vehicle or driver, call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 478-994-7010. The accident is still being investigated.
