Frankston Area Obituaries — 1999-Present

Here are the obituaries posted for the current month from information provided courtesy of local and area funeral homes and published on their websites or those submitted by families. If an obituary is overlooked and it is desired that it be posted, please inform us at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Families may request changes or additions, if required. If you have an obituary for a person who has connections with someone or some family in the Frankston-Poynor-LaRue or Lake Palestine area that you want posted to this month or to the archives, and is not currently posted, please let us know at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Obituaries selected or submitted should follow a format which is essentially consistent with other obituaries posted here or by funeral homes and follow standard grammatical style. Through arrangements with funeral homes and/or the families, we will publish pictures with current obituaries. We will add pictures to archived obituaries from the print version of The Citizen newspaper prior to September 2019 when available. Pictures with archived obituaries posted after that will be added in cooperation with funeral homes or on requests from families.  As was the tradition of the Citizen newspaper, obituaries are published at no charge.

(Obituaries listed chronologically by date of death or funeral service.)

Garland Jaggers

Graveside services for Garland Jaggers, 74, of Frankston, were held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 3, at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Mount Vernon, with Edison Reynolds and John David Wright officiating under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Jaggers died Friday, March 31, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born April 27, 1925, in Mount Vernon and served in the Army during World War II.

Mr. Jaggers had been a barber in Frankston for 29 years, and member of Frankston Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Dean Jaggers, Frankston; son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Brenda Jaggers, Frankston; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Johnny Taylor, Frankston; brothers, Kenneth Jaggers, Mount Vernon and Tharmar Jaggers, Mount Pleasant; sisters, Mary Vermillion, Grand Prairie, and Lela Parrish, Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Laurie and Randy Adams, Paul Taylor, Todd Jaggers, Collin and Bryan Flood; one great-grandson, Wade Taylor; and several nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Reynolds, Dana Bizzell, Terry Bacon, Louis Clakley, Edward Reagan and Malcolm Roebuck.

David L. Houston

SUNSET, LA. - Funeral services for David L. Houston, 64, of Sunset, LA were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, in Opelousas, LA.

Burial was in Melville, LA.

Mr. Houston died Tuesday, March 28, in an Opelousas hospital.

He was born April 13, 1935 in Dallas, son of Clyde and Lola Houston, and was raised in Frankston.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry of Sunset, LA; and parents, Clyde and Lola Houston.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Laura Houston of Tyler; daughter and son-in-law, Kaye and Henry Stevens of Shrevesport, LA; brother, John E. Houston, Frankston; sister, Peggy Sue Dickerson, Highlands; uncles, Alton Weesner of Jacksonville and Wilson Weesner of Tulsa, OK; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Dora Lee Garrett

Funeral services for Dora Lee Garrett, 94, of Frankston, were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at First Baptist Church in Neches with the Revs. J.A. Griffin and Charles Grasty officiating.

Burial followed graveside services at 3 p.m. at Brookside Memorial Park in Houston with the Rev. Paul Emerson officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home, Palestine.

Mrs. Garrett died Thursday, March 30, at a Palestine hospital.

She was born Aug. 21, 1905 in Neches to William M. Myers and Laura Herrington Myers.

Mrs. Garrett was a Baptist. She worked for many years for the basket factory in Jacksonville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Garrett, in 1980.

Mrs. Garrett is survived by sons, Edward Garrett of Houston, and Jack Garrett of Conroe; daughter, Rozelle Davis of Houston; 13 grandchildren, including Delores Wright of Frankston, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Grandsons served as pallbearers.

Marie Thomas

LUFKIN - Funeral services for Marie Thomas, 77, of Lufkin were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Donna Brown officiating.

Burial was in Lower Chireno Cemetery.

Mrs. Thomas was born Nov. 16, 1922 in Frankston to the late Levi Martin Ellis and Zeliah Cole Ellis. She died Sunday, April 2, in a Lufkin hospital.

Mrs. Thomas had resided in Lufkin for the past 51 years and was a former resident of Nacogdoches and Frankston.

She was a retired nurse and had been employed at Woodland Heights Hospital for 20 years. She was a graduate of Frankston High School and a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Cox Bonner of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Debbie Thomas of Dallas; grandson and wife, Kent and Cheryl Cox of Plano; grandson, Craig Thomas of Dallas; granddaughters and husbands, Angela and Chris Block of Clear Lake, and Kathy and Bob Leedy of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Baily, Carly, Desireé, Carson and Conner Cox, Christopher Leedy, Karah Block; two step-grandchildren, Russell and Amanda Wilhite; brothers, V.L. Ellis of Avinger, Kenneth Ellis of Gladewater; sisters, Norene Huber of Las Vegas, NV, Darlene Norberg of Lake Palestine, and Dorothy Hunter of Elk Grove, CA; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe C. Thomas in 1994; great-grandson, Robert William Leedy in 1995; brother, Frank Ellis; sister, Veda Harvey; and a niece, Jalinda Bryant.

Pallbearers were Max Ellis, Farris Ellis, Chad Ellis, Glen Ellis, Eddie Ellis, Dan Ellis and David Ellis.

Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Ellis, Cesley Higgins, Jimmy Shirley and Clifford Trevathan.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1505 S. John Redditt Dr., Lufkin, TX 75904.

Sally Knowles

OAKWOOD- Funeral services for Sally Knowles, 41, of Oakwood, were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Memorial Baptist Church Oakwood, with the Revs. Jim Nedbalek and Kip Riley officiating.

Burial was in Oakwood City Cemetery under direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Miss Knowles died Saturday, April 1, in a Tyler hospice.

She was born May 17, 1958, in Palestine to Bob and Jewel Lloyd Knowles.

Miss Knowles graduated from Frankston High School in 1976 and received her bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in 1980.

She was a compliance officer with First State Bank of Grapeland and had formerly worked for First National Bank in Palestine. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church of Oakwood.

Survivors include her parents, Bob and Jewel Knowles, Oakwood; sister, Susan Irons, Oakwood; and two nieces.

Pallbearers were Thomas Richard Tryon, Randall Joe Tryon, James Lee Knowles, William Knowles, William H. Welch and Randy Lloyd.

If desired memorials may be made to Memorial Baptist Church of Oakwood, P.O. Box 373, Oakwood, 75855, or Hospice of East Texas, 3800 Paluxy, Suite 560, Tyler, 75703.

Howard Balentine

Graveside services for Howard E. Balentine, 79, of Frankston were held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 10, at Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, with the Rev. Kevin King officiating, under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston,

Mr. Balentine died Friday, April 7, at his residence.

He was born Jan. 8, 1921 near Cooper and served in the Navy during World War II.

Mr. Balentine was a home builder and member of Frankston United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Balentine, Frankston; son, Tommy Smith of Frankston; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Allen Baxter, and Linda Helm and Steve Mascorro of Frankston; brother, Retus Balentine, Dallas; sisters, Wanda Harwell, Houston, Edith McCrary, Clifton, and Polly Musselman, Springfield, Ill.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Kern Stuart Jr.

Kern (Red) Stuart Jr., 64, of Frankston died Thursday, April 6, while visiting his children in Houston, according to information received here.

The following information also was included in the report:

Family graveside services were held Sunday, April 16, at Roselawn Cemetery in Houston.

He served in the Army six years, serving in Korea 1953-54.

Memorial prayers were given Tuesday, April 11, at the VFW Post 5073 in Frankston by chaplains.

Mr. Stuart was born July 26, 1935 in Houston to the late Kern and Ollie Stuart.

Survivors include a longtime companion, Nola Benjamin of Frankston; daughters, Karen Jean Roak of Ridgefield, Washington, Reni McDowell and son-in-law, Brent Weston of Houston, Carol Stuart and friend, Keith of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Paula Stuart, and son, Bryan Stuart, all of Houston; nine grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; sisters, Bernice Holland of Toledo Bend, Helen Martin and husband, Steve Martin of Frankston; brother, Monty (Sonny) Stuart of San Antonio.; eight nieces and nephews.

John B. Young

Funeral services for John B. Young, 71, of Frankston were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Walter Picken officiating.

Burial was in Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville with Masonic graveside rites.

Mr. Young died Wednesday, April 5, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 21, 1928 in Collinsworth County, TX. He was a retired drilling completion consultant and had worked in the Middle East oil fields.

Mr. Young was a Baptist and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of Lodge #296 Commanche Co. AF&AM, 32nd Degree Mason and Scottish Rite Shrine, Wichita, KS.

He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Lee Young on Nov. 29, 1990.

Survivors include his wife, Roxanna Young of Frankston; a son, Jimmy Berton Young, Weatherford, OK, daughters, Elaine Lowrey, Arlington, Brenda Myers and Sherry Scniathman, both and Garden City, KS, Barbara J. Bogart, Havana, AR and Sonya King of Edmond, OK; a brother, Kerna Young of Washington.

Pallbearers were Jimmy Smith, Jack Ibison, Robert Mildren, Philip Mildren, Dwight Mildren, Kenneth Smith and Gaylen Tow.

Honorary pallbearer was William Mildren.

Ollie Etheridge Handley

Funeral services for Ollie Etheridge Handley, 93, of Reese were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville, with Steve Orbison and Johnny Anders officiating.

Burial was in the Reese Cemetery.

Mrs. Handley died Wednesday, April 12, in a Jacksonville hospital.

She was born March 1, 1907 in Reese. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ in Frankston.

She was preceded in death by a son, David F. Handley Sr.

Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Nora Myrick, Nadine Ingram and Barbara Detwiler, all of Reese, Mary and Robert Lee of Bonham, daughter-in-law, Jean Handley of Jacksonville; sisters, Florence Larson and Lena Ray, both of Reese; 12 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Steve Handley, Robert Lee Jr., Ron Lee, Lee Ingram, Paul Myrick and John Detwiler.

Honorary pallbearers were Charles O. Etheridge, Travis Etheridge, Von Henderson, Larry Coker and Johnny Reagan.

Memorials may be made to the Know Your Bible Ministry, P.O. Box 697, Frankston, TX 75763 or David's Garden, Cherokee Co. Sheltered Workshop, Loop 456, Jacksonville, TX 75766.

Kendrick Eldridge

ATHENS - Graveside services for Kendrick Eldridge, 3 months, Athens, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankston, under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co., Tyler.

The infant died Friday, April 14, in Athens.

He was born Dec. 27, 1999 in Palestine.

Survivors include his parents, Keith Eldridge and Andrea Scott, Athens; grandparents, Sheila Dewberry, Dallas, Larry Clayborne, Neches, Tyrone Dewberry, Frankston, Lonnie and Linda Eldridge, Poynor; brother, Keandre Eldridge, Athens; sister, Berenisha Smith, Dallas; and other relatives.

Bruce Verne Linscott

Funeral services for Bruce Verne Linscott, 58, of Frankston were held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Burial was at the Frankston City Cemetery under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.

Mr. Linscott died Tuesday, April 25, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born March 6, 1942.

Mr. Linscott was a farmer and a member of United Methodist Church, Frankston. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War as a pilot. He was a member of Young Farmers of Frankston.

Survivors include his wife, Glynn Linscott, of Frankston; sons, Brett Linscott, Littleton, CO, Jason Linscott, Denver, CO, and Drew Linscott, Frankston; daughters, Amy Young, Minneapolis MN, Molly Deason, Dallas, and Emily Linscott, Frankston; his mother, Dorothy Linscott, Concord, NH; a sister, Nancy Edmunds, Concord, NH; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Bob Leavine, Jess Ewers, Ronnie Harris, Mark Smith, Tommy Slaughter, Dave Bittenbinder, Judd Long and Clint Head.

Vera Blair

Funeral services for Vera Blair, 66, of Lake Frankston, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, at First Baptist Church in Palestine with the Revs. Don Childress and Jeff Nyberg officiating.

Burial was in Frankston City Cemetery under direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Mrs. Blair died Wednesday, April 19, in Plano.

She was born Feb. 21, 1934, in Tulsa, OK, to Emory and Marie Brown Queen.

She worked as a paralegal assistant for Oryx Energy and was a member of First Baptist Church of Palestine, Pioneer Garden Club and Guion Music Club.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Survivors include her husband, Dan L. Blair, Lake Frankston; daughter, Dannette White, Plano; sons, the Rev. Scott Blair, Cedar Hill, Gary Blair, Allen, and Larry Blair, Plano; mother, Marie Queen, Tulsa, Okla.; sisters, Alma Stithe and Nancy Petty, both of Tulsa, OK, and Rose Marie Beattie, New Castle, OK; and seven grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Albert Taylor, Gilbert Wolfe, Jack Smith, Bob Henderson, Fred Neal and George Walsh.

Honorary pallbearers were members of Men's Luke Class.

Linda Howell

Graveside services for Linda Jean Howell, 55, of Seffner, Florida, mother of Frankston residents, were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Liberty Hill Cemetery, Frankston, under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston, with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Mrs. Howell died Monday, April 17, in Tampa, Fla.

She was born May 5, 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA. She was a Presbyterian.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry Howell, Seffner, Fla.; son, Jerry A. Howell, Frankston; daughters, Teressa Goodwin, Huntsville, Linda K. Bargeron, Poynor, and Karen Benton, Frankston; brother, Sam Keenan, Orlando, Fla.; mother-in-law, Lavada Sweat, Frankston, and other relatives.

Fineous Yates

Graveside services for Fineous D. Yates, 82, of Bivens, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Huffines Cemetery, Cass County, with the Rev. Clayton Sheets officiating under direction of Hanner Funeral Service, Atlanta.

Mr. Yates died Wednesday, April 19, in Cass County.

He was born June 21, 1917, in Cass County. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church.

Survivors are two sons and daughter-in-laws, DeWayne and Kay Yates of Henderson, and Don and Carole Yates of Willis; one daughter, Theresia Johns, of Frankston; a brother and his wife, Denver and Rosie Yates of Atlanta; four sisters, Goldie McDuff of Carthage, Arvella Shelton of Bryan, Armeta Smith of Georgetown, and Vena Mae Tolleson of Carthage; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Frank J. Allbright

JACKSONVILLE - Graveside services for Frank James Allbright, 89, of Jacksonville were held Monday, April 24, at 3 p.m. in the New York Cemetery in the New York Community under direction of Boren-Conner Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mr. Allbright died Saturday, April 22.

He was born Aug. 27, 1910 in the Fosterville community. Mr. Allbright was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, graduated from Jacksonville High School and Tyler Commercial College. He retired in 1975 from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 47 years of service.

He was a charter member of the Goodfellows Sunday School Class of Central Baptist Church, a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) and a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Mr. Allbright served as a master sergeant in the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the Invasion of Normandy, arriving at D-Day plus two. His unit reported directly to Gen. George Patton, and their duties included connecting Gen. Patton's command trailer to the European Theater of Operations.

Mr. Allbright and his wife, Bobbye, were owners of the Frankston Telephone Co. at one time and developed the first dial system in that area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Lee and Jerry Allbright of Reese; and four sisters, Ada Morrow, Annie Johnson, Mary Ellen Kidd and Viola Allbright Cupp.

Mr. Allbright is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bobbye Lou Carter Allbright, and her sister, Lois Hill, of Port Neches, and her sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Clifford Dotson of Palestine; six nieces and nephews; and seven great nieces and nephews.

His immediate survivors include his four nieces and their families: Glenda and Jim Smith of Mineral Wells, Barbara and John Northcutt of San Antonio, Jeanne Padgett of Fort Worth and Jean and Bill Cole of Phoenix, AZ, 11 great nieces and nephews, and 22 great-great-nieces and nephews.

(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.)