What was the name of Aretha Franklin's mother, a gospel singer and pianist?

Aretha Franklin’s mother, gospel singer and pianist Barbara Siggers Franklin, was named Barbara Siggers Franklin.

Born Barbara Vernice Siggers in 1917, she married Baptist minister Clarence LaVaughn “C. L.” Franklin in 1936. The couple had four children together, including Aretha, Erma, Cecil, and Carolyn. Barbara was recognized as a gifted musician who sang and played piano in church settings.

The Franklin family moved from Memphis to Buffalo and later settled in Detroit, where C. L. became pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. Barbara and C. L. separated in 1948, and she returned to Buffalo. Aretha later remembered visiting her mother there, correcting the often-repeated claim that Barbara simply abandoned her children.

Barbara died in Buffalo on March 7, 1952, when Aretha was still a child. After her death, members of the family and church community helped care for the Franklin children. Aretha’s later gospel foundation and piano skills grew out of that musical and religious environment.