Columbus, OH — D’Vita L. (Peterson) Franklin, 68, of Xenia, Ohio, died June 4, 2021, in the care of Hospice of Dayton.

She was born Nov. 6, 1952, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, the daughter of Robert Peterson and Shirley Peterson (House) Turner. She was a 1971 graduate of Yellow Springs High School.

After high school, she had various jobs including a short stint with Morris Bean Company. Those closest to her knew her passion was for the Standardbred horse racing business. Shortly after leaving Morris Bean, she devoted her career to owning, training and care-taking Standardbred horses.

Over the years she worked closely with her dad (Robert Peterson), uncle (Michael Peterson), friend and associate (Sam “Chip” Noble), and last but not least her husband of 37 years, Jack Franklin.

Mrs. Franklin had many accomplishments including (but not limited to) setting the Greene County Fair track record driving her own horse, Raceway Time; and caretaker for Hambletonian qualifier Vaporize and nationally known stallion Nobleland Sam.

She was a well-known and respected member of the United States Trotting Association, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, and a lifetime and active member of St. Paul AME Church, Cedarville, Ohio.

Mrs. Franklin loved her family and was a devoted friend and foster parent to several teens and infants.

She loved spending her spare time around horses, was an avid fan of the Little Brown Jug, loved reading a good novel, watching westerns, and horse racing on TV.

Mrs. Franklin impacted a multitude of lives both personally and professionally and while she will forever be deeply missed, her impact will never cease.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Jack; daughter, Jayona; granddaughter, Zylla; stepson, Aaron Cosby; special nephew, Phillip Collett, that she raised as her own; mother, Shirley Turner; stepmother, Ruth Miner Peterson; sister, Robin Walker; brothers, Marshall Peterson and Tyron Peterson; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Peterson; stepmother, Mary Peterson; brother, Erwin Peterson; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

A celebration of life service will be held Monday (June 21) at 2 p.m. in the dining hall of the Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Rd., Xenia, Ohio.

Arrangements entrusted to Porter-Qualls-Freeman Funeral Home.