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.)

Lucy Jo Rivers

Funeral services for Lucy Jo Rivers, 81, of Angleton were held Tuesday, July 31, at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton with the Rev. Billy Conner officiating.

Graveside services followed Tuesday in the Hilton Family Cemetery in LaRue.

Lucy was born March 9, 1926 in Poynor to William Van and Mamie Whitney Hilton. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Angleton for more than forty years and was employed by Perry Brothers for 17 years.

Her husband Leo Rivers, to whom she was married to on Sept. 7, 1945, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters; Madolyn Brown, Jessie Maguire, Faye Berryhill, Esther Roberts, Johnny Hilton, Milburn Hilton, Pete Hilton and Lucille Couch.

She is survived by her children, Kevin Rivers and wife Diane of Van, Carolyn Barnett and husband Harold of Angleton and Jerry Rivers and Judy of Angleton; seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at palmsfuneralhome.com. Palms Funeral Home of Angleton made arrangements.

Roy Allen Bentle

Funeral services for Roy Allen Bentle, 47, of Berryville are pending for Saturday, Aug. 4 at Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston. The Rev. Shane Morgan will officiate.

Mr. Bentle was born Dec. 11, 1959. He worked as a refrigerator and air conditioning technician.

He died July 30, 2007.

Mr. Bentle was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church of Berryville.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Robbie Stigall Bentle and his father, Roy Allen Bentle.

Mr. Bentle is survived by his wife, Kelly Bentle; two sons, Zackary Allen Bentle and his wife Melissa Bentle of Allentown, New Hampshire and Tyler Edwin Bentle of Berryville; a grandson, Bryce Aaron Bentle; two brothers, David Bentle of Liberty City and Danny Bentle of Huntsville; a sister, Kathy Williams and her husband Gerald Williams of Gladewater; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers a fund has been established at First State Bank in Frankston in Mr. Bentle’s name to assist with the cost of funeral expenses.

Lou Mel Harvey

Funeral services for Lou Mel Harvey, 92, of Frankston, were held Tuesday, July 31, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. J.A. Griffin and the Rev. Doug Howell officiating under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston. Brooks Atwood provided the music.

Burial followed in Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Harvey died Sunday, July 29, 2007 in Tyler.

She was born Feb. 7, 1915 in the Bullard area and retired from the Frankston Box Factory after 26 years. Prior to that she worked at the City Cleaners, Burtis Gardner Drug Store and worked in the tomato packing business.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Frankston.

Mrs. Harvey was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Mary “Minnie” Boles; a daughter, Jo Ann Harvey Bostick who passed away in 1952; brothers, Carrol Boles, A.J. (Jack) Boles, Frank Boles and Hershel Boles; a sister, Ollie Dean; and nephew, James Boles.

She is survived by her nephews, Jerry Boles and his wife, Susie of Frankston and Jim Boles and his wife Monti of Round Rock; great nieces Julie Dallas and husband Chuck and their son, Vance Dallas of Frankston; and Michelle Yancey of Dallas; and great nephews, Jay Boles and his wife, Phyllis of Frankston; Jody Boles and his wife Alicia of Palestine, Denny Boles and his wife, Karla of Dallas and Rusty Boles and his wife Kathy of Round Rock; four great great nephews, four great great nieces and one great great nephew.

Pallbearers were Jerry Boles, Jim Boles, Jay Boles, Jody Boles, Denny Boles, Rusty Boles, Chuck Dallas and Vance Dallas.

Memorials may be made to the Frankston City Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 176, Frankston, Texas 75763, or The First United Methodist Church in Frankston, P.O. Box 355, Frankston, Texas, 75763 or Hospice Homeplace, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, Texas 75701.

Calvin L. Bryan

Services for Calvin L. Bryan, 79, of LaRue, were scheduled for Monday, July 30, at LaPoynor Church of Christ with Steve Handley officiating. Burial followed in LaRue Cemetery under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Mr. Bryan died July 28 in a Tyler hospital.

He was born to Edgar Lawrence and Nannie Belle DeVore Bryan on February 29, 1928 in Norton, Texas. He resided in Dickinson for 33 years where he was employed at Monsanto Chemical Company in Texas City.

Following retirement in 1986, he moved to LaRue and was an active member of LaPoynor Church of Christ.

He owned and operated CB Air Conditioning Service Company in Dickinson for 20 years. Mr. Bryan served four years in the United States Air Force. He was an avid Texas Longhorn fan, loved hunting, fishing and playing golf.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Frances Sumrall.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Bryan, of LaRue; son, Michael Lewis Bryan of Tyler; daughters, Debra N. Schlackman of Richardson, Beth Dwiggins and husband Steve of Paragould, Ark., Cathy Odom and husband, Allen of Dallas; sisters, Lou Ann Scott of Athens, Betty Bonham of Abilene, Jane Walker of Bronte; four grandchildren, Greg, Rachael and Bryan Schlackman and Chris Dwiggins.

Pallbearers were Kay Fleming, Greg Schlackman, Steve Dwiggins, Brent Hoffman, Billy Cramer and Kenneth Gauntt.

Honorary pallbearer was Bryan Schlackman.

If desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or World Bible School, c/o LaPoynor Church of Christ, 11323 CR 4345, LaRue, Texas 75770.

People may leave a message of condolence or sign the guest book for the family at www.carrolllehr.com.

Richard Asher Sr.

Richard “Dick” Dabney Asher Sr. of Berryville died Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Richard was in the care of Legacy Hospice Serenity House at the time of his death. He left quietly, peacefully and with dignity surrounded by loved ones.

A memorial service was to be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Brother Doug Howell, pastor at United Methodist Church of Frankston, officiating.

Immediately following the memorial service, a reception and visitation will be held at Frankston United Methodist Church Family Life Center located at the corner of Main and Weldon.

Private interment will follow at Garden Oaks Cemetery in Berryville.

Honorary pallbearers are Dan Wicker, Jerry Beard, Joe Reed Shawn Gilmer, Dylan Asher, Mark Winkler, Bill Aston and Cecil Palmar.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests the remembrances be made to United Methodist Church of Frankston Rainbow House Food Pantry, P.O. Box 355 Frankston, Texas 75763 or the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks and recognition of gratitude to Mary, Eldon, Margarite, Sandy, Pam, Mark and Kim of Legacy Hospice for their care, kindness and support during this time of need.

“Dick,” as he was known to all, was born Nov. 14, 1926 in Murchison, Texas. He was the youngest child of Thomas Leslie Asher and Clara Stelle Asher. He attended school in Murchison, left school to join the Navy in August, 1944 and was later awarded a high school diploma by the Athens Independent School District.

He served in the Pacific Front aboard the destroyer USS Schroeder until the end of World War II.

He was called back into the Navy service in August of 1950 to serve in the Korean Conflict as a telephone operator in the Imperial Hotel in downtown Tokyo until 1951.

Dick married his bride of 60 years, Vivian Jo Mikesell Asher on Dec. 4, 1946.

Survivors include his wife Vivian; his daughter and sonin-law, Cynthia and Lee Gilmer; his son, Richard Dabney Asher Jr.; grandchildren, Angela Michelle Asher, Shawn Alexander Gilmer, Melissa Ann Asher VanderLinde, Joyce Nicole Asher, Shannon Elizabeth Gilmer, Lindsay Renee

Asher and Dylan James Asher; seven great grandchildren; sisters Clara John Hatton and Lois Juanita Ivy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Asher retired to Berryville in April, 1982 after 35 years of service as a lineman and troubleshooter with Dallas Power and Light Company.

While with Dallas Power and Light, he was active in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 69 serving two terms as union steward and one term as president and business agent.

The Ashers have been politically active at the grassroots level.

Mr. Asher served as Democratic Precinct Chairman in Dallas and Henderson counties. He was well known in Democratic political circles having served as a state delegate for several years, attended the Carter and Clinton inaugurations and counted many elected leaders among his friends.

Mr. Asher also worked on social issues being among a core group of people founding LEAD an organization to ensure good leadership for the Dallas Independent School District and to advocate for children.

The Ashers also devoted their efforts to the civil rights movement in Dallas participating in marches for the rights of African Americans and many voter register drives.

Boyce C. Ledbetter

Boyce C. Ledbetter, 75, of LaRue, passed away Sunday, Aug. 5 at Hospice of East Texas Homeplace in Tyler, surrounded by his loving family.

A Memorial Service was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens with the Rev. Larry Fondren officiating.

The family visitation was to be from 6 p.m. until service time.

Mr. Ledbetter was born June 29, 1932 in the New York Community of Henderson County to the late Alvin Ruben and Trixie Beatrice Rodgers Ledbetter. He was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from the La Poynor High School.

Mr. Ledbetters’ love for the land, his animals and the outdoors extended into a long career of farming and ranching.

He formerly owned and operated Ledbetter’s Custom Fertilizer business which he incorporated into Frankston Farm and Ranch Store after its purchase in 1984. He sold the business to family members and retired in 1996.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Maurine Boles and Imogene Crossley.

Survivors include his wife Shirley Lawson Ledbetter of Larue; sons, Larry Conrad Ledbetter of Palco, Kansas and Gary Dan Ledbetter of New York, Texas; daughters, Lisa Steger and husband Douglas of Poynor and Vickie Elaine Ledbetter of Athens; brother, A.R. “Bob” Ledbetter of Athens; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, Texas 75701.

Kristin Marie Elmore

Services for Kristin Marie Elmore, 49, of Frankston were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Frankston Assembly of God with Bro. J. A. Griffin officiating.

Burial was to be at Garden Oaks in Berryville under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home. Mrs. Elmore passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2007 in Frankston.

She was born on October 9, 1957 in Riverside, California to the late Stanley and Ruth Easterwoo d Lewis.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Frankston Assembly of God, and also loved butterflies, cats, and singing in the choir.

She is survived by her husband, Bob Elmore of Frankston; son, Brian Elmore of Frankston; daughters, Leone Moore of Dawson, MN and Monica Elmore of Frankston.

Pallbearers were Mike Elmore, Rick Elmore, Mark Elmore, David Elmore, Bruce Elmore and John Elmore.

If desired memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler 75701.

William M. Smith, Jr.

Funeral services for William M. Smith, Jr., 84, of Poynor, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at First Baptist Church, Poynor with the Rev. Jim Boyte officiating, under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Burial will follow at Poynor Cemetery.

Mr. Smith died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007 in Frankston.

He was born May 30, 1923 to the late W.M. and Beulah Hill Smith in the Sand Flat Community near Frankston but also lived 20 years in LaPine, Oregon.

Mr. Smith was a Merchant Marine for 40 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Poynor. Mr. Smith is a member of American Legion in LaPine, Oregon.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Smith; sister, Josephine Adams and brothers, Hildred Smith and Bobbie Joe Smith.

He is survived by his sons, Jim Smith and wife Sue of Frankston and Gerald Smith and wife Dannie of Poynor; brothers, Jack Smith and Kenneth Smith of Frankston; sisters, Bonnie Risley of Garland, and Gereline Adams of Rowlett; grandchildren, Jimmy Smith of Blue Springs, Mo., Laurie Elkins, Eastbourne, UK, Jeremy Smith of Poynor, Meagan Murray of Poynor, James Holm and wife Kristen of Oregon; great grandson Blake Elkins of Eastbourne, UK; and two great granddaughters.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Smith, Jeremy Smith, Daniel Murray, Ben Haynes, Ben W. Haynes and James Holm.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob Haynes and B.J. Harris.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Homeplace 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, Texas 75701 or First Baptist Church of Poynor.

Viewing will be noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church of Poynor Saturday, Aug. 18 following the interment.

Harry Smith

Services for Harry Smith, 88, of Frankston were held Sunday, July 22, at The United Methodist Church of Frankston with Brother Doug Howell officiating.

Burial followed in Old Bethel Cemetery under direction of Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

Mr. Smith died July 19, 2007.

He was born May 3, 1919 in Eustace to Roy and Ida Cathey Smith.

He served in the Army Medical Corps in 1941, serving in North Africa and Italy where he was chief warrant officer and master sergeant.

He was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with two bronze stars.

He was manager of DC Wholesale Plumbing Supply, and was also employed by Sabine Supply Co. In 1951, he bought a hardware store in Daisetta and in 1958, moved to Frankston.

He was a member of The United Methodist Church and sang in the chancel choir.

He was a charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5073, and Frankston Riding Club and Trail Riders Association.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Smith, and a sister, Mary Alice Callahan.

Survivors include his wife, Velma Smith of Frankston; sons, Ronny Smith and Harry Roy Smith, both of Frankston, and Dale Smith of Dallas; daughter, Jackie Lynn Rogers of Pittsburg; stepsons, Gary Sheeley of Bryan, and Terry Sheeley of Frankston; stepdaughters, Nelda Clayton, Katy and Karen Howell of Frankston; sister, Edith Burns of Humble; six grandchildren, eight stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three step greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Brandon Sheeley, Jeremy Sheeley, David Sheeley, Bryan Clayton, Jason Smith and Roy Westbrook.

Honorary pallbearers were Ralph Crouch, Edmund Ortega, James Morris and Frank Harrison.

James Lee Tyson

Funeral services for James Lee Tyson, 30, of Frankston are to be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. The Rev. Doug Howell will officiate.

Burial will be at Guiceland Cemetery in Grapeland.

Mr. Tyson died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 in Palestine.

He was born Jan. 9, 1977 in Webster and worked as a crane operator.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joyce Kimmey, S.W. and Izetta Tyson and Georgia Fay Quick.

Mr. Tyson is survived by two sons, Jason Tyson of Mississippi and Caleb Tyson of Crockett; his mother, Ann Tyson Stine, Frankston, who is the director of nursing at Frankston Healthcare Center; father, Joseph Tyson of Mississippi; grandfather, F.J. Kimmey of Mt. Enterprise; brother, David Tyson of Deatsville, Ala.; several nieces, nephews, aunts uncles and cousins.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Kimmey, Daniel Berryhill, David Edwards and Chris Massey.

Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.

Guy Williams

Services for Guy Williams, 86, of LaRue, were scheduled Saturday, Aug. 18, at Union Station AME Church with Superintendent H.P. Jordan officiating.

Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co., in Tyler.

Mr. Williams died Aug. 10, 2007 in a Chandler nursing home.

He was born March 16, 1921, in Moore Station community and was a lifelong resident of the area.

He attended Moore Station schools and retired from Texas Clay Brick. He was a member of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Eliza Williams of LaRue; brothers, Elhuele Williams and Horace Williams, both of LaRue; and sisters, Mariah Green of Chandler and Gladys Frater of Tyler.

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