As the Navajo County Historical Society moves into the future, board members decided to take a look back and honor two of the group’s staunchest supporters.

Engraved plaques were recently placed at the doors to the historical society offices featuring pictures of and tributes to Garnette Franklin and Zelda Gray. The plaques note that Franklin was “a guiding light” and Gray was “a steadfast torchbearer” for the society.

Board member JoLynn Fox noted that Franklin and Gray set “examples of outstanding service that will guide the historical society through the future.”

Franklin served on the Arizona Historical Society for a number of years. In 1987, she was a member of the board of directors. She was also a member of the Arizona Historic Foundation and the Arizona Pa-per/Photograph Conservation Group.

In 1982, she was the director of the Holbrook branch of the Navajo County Historical Society and later the museum director with Geny Nix as her aide. In 1989, she was on the Arizona Historic Society Publica-tions Committee. The following year she was the president of the Navajo County Historical Society, which was comprised of four branches.

A photo appearing in the Holbrook Tribune-News in 1988 showed Franklin standing in front of the his-toric courthouse in downtown Holbrook with a shotgun, noting, “I’m ready to hold off any bulldozers of the future.” This summed up her dedication and determination to save the courthouse and its museum.

Franklin also worked on the Shumway School project, coordinating its renovation. Ralph Lewis donated his time for the work with Franklin’s encouragement. She was good at wheedling support from many.

Gray became involved with the Navajo County Historical Society in the 1980s, and in 1981 was named treasurer of the county group. In 1994, she spearheaded a Save the Courthouse campaign with Franklin. In 1995, Gray became president of the county group and served until 1997, when the branches in Show Low, Winslow, Holbrook and Silver Creek decided to dissolve the county group and establish their own organiza-tions. Since the Holbrook branch was established in the courthouse, it retained the name Navajo County His-torical Society. Gray was named museum director in 1999.

She was known for keeping a close watch on the historical society’s pennies and finding ways to brace up its coffers. Gray worked to compile information on a 46-star American Flag and its preservation. She also worked with the cemetery committee to gather information on the gravesites.

Fox noted, “The footprints set by these two women and the many others they recruited over the years to become involved today serves as an example to continue the preservation of the society and its mission.”