FCSD says goodbye to 'Maw Maw'

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Past and present employees of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department are getting ready to say goodbye to a member of their family as a former employee they affectionately refer to as MawMaw moves away.
Francis "MawMaw" Sockwell had been a member of the sheriff's department since 1984 when she began working as a dispatcher in the jail.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott remembers Sockwell's original nickname was Peaches because she was warm and had a great attitude.
"She started working with us in the jail when the conditions were awful, but she never complained about anything," Plott said.
He said she had a wonderful disposition and is an all around wonderful person.
As the younger generation of law enforcement officials emerged, Sockwell's nickname went from Peaches to MawMaw and the name stuck.
"Everybody has a special place for her in their hearts and their own special name," Plott said.
Sockwell officially retired from the department in 1999, but returned on a part-time basis in 2001. She worked until last December.
Even after leaving the departmen, Plott said employees called her often and frequently visited her at home.
Eight weeks ago, Sockwell fell and is no longer able to live alone. In response to her illness, her son, Morris Barnett, is taking her to live with him in Raeville, N.C.
"Before, she was just a phone call or a visit away," Plott said. "Now we won't be able to do that and it will never be the same again."
In response to her leaving, the employees of the department are making her a scrapbook to take with her. The book is filled with photos from the 'good ole days' along with recent snapshots.