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.)

Bobby Jennings

Funeral services for Bobby Lynn Jennings, 79, of Frankston, were held Tuesday, Aug 5, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Revs. Gary Dollarhide and George Folmar presiding. Burial was to follow at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Jennings died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 in Tyler.

He was born Sept. 21, 1928 in Snyder, Okla. to the late Vinnie A. and Agnes Jennings.

He retired from the U.S. Navy and as the navigator of the USS Seadragon.

He was on the first submarine to make a complete transit of the Northwest Passage and the first sub to surface at the North Pole.

He was a member of the Frankston VFW Post No. 5073. Mr. Jennings also retired from the TDCJ after 24 years of service. Meanwhile, he made time to be asoftball umpire for 30 years, was a member of bowling leagues in Athens, Jacksonville and Palestine while also bowling in a traveling league.

He was very active with the Meals On Wheels in Palestine.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Jennings; son, Keith Jennings; and grandson, James Alen Jennings.

Mr. Jennings is survived by his wife, Jean Calhoun Jennings of Frankston; sons and daughters-in-law, James Russell and Beverly Jennings of Martinez, Ga.,Stephen D. and Dyanna Jennings of Huntsville, Wayne E. and Lesley Jennings of Elkhart, William Marshburn of Frankston, and Stuart Calhoun of Rusk; daughters and son-in-law, Elizabeth Hawkins of Palestine and Cindy and Vic Wimpee of Frankston; 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Homeplace of Tyler.

Tommie Fayrene Dickerson

Funeral services for Mrs. Tommie Fayrene Dickerson, 83, of Frankston were held Sunday, August 3, 2008 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with the Rev. J. A. Griffin officiating.

Burial followed at Poynor Cemetery.

Mrs. Dickerson died Thursday, July 31, 2008 in Frankston after an extended illness.

She was born February 25, 1925 in Poynor and had lived in the Frankston area most of her life.

Mrs. Dickerson was an active member of the Frankston Riding Club and a member of the Church of Christ in Frankston.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Franklin Hanna and Cora Lorena Dickerson Hanna, her daughter; Sherry Ann Dickerson, brother; BennyHanna and sister; Ruby Bizzell.

She is survived by her husband, Charlie Preston Dickerson of Frankston; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Preston and Diana Lynn Dickerson of Frankston; two daughters and sons-in-law, Alana and Jimmy Moore, Debbie and Gary Edmonson, both of Frankston; one brother, Reagan Hanna of Beaumont; two sisters, Katrena Reid of Tyler, Betty Parigi of Mesquite; sister-in-law, Ruby Hanna of Kountze; five grandchildren, Dustin Dickerson, Wade Dickerson, Aimee Johnson, Ashlie Patterson, Misty Dickerson; seven great-grand children and several, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Dustin Dickerson, Wade Dickerson, Reagan Hanna, Justin Hanna, Tommy Hanna and Sam Lackey.

Honorary pallbearers were Dana Bizzell, John Parigi and Bubba King.

Bettye Bitz

Funeral services for Bettye Bitz, 82, of Frankston were held Tuesday, Aug. 19, at First Baptist Church, Frankston, with the Rev. Darin Wood and the Rev.George Folmar officiating.

Burial was held at  Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville.

Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mrs. Bitz died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 in Tyler.

She was born on Dec. 23, 1925 in Bowie, Texas.

Mrs. Bitz was a homemaker and a State employee, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Frankston and the Disabled American Veteran Auxiliary.

Survivors include her husband, Ben Bitz of Frankston; two sons, Stephen L. Bitz of Wichita Falls and Kenneth W. Bitz and wife Sherry of LaRue; a daughter, Rebecca S. Shrode and husband Jim, of Dallas; sisters, Dorothy Underwood Glenn and Margret Bennett; grandchildren, John Gregory and wife Shelly, Rachel Shrode, Rebekah Mauldin and husband Benjamin, and Stephenie K. Bitz; and 6 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Johnny Burks, Joey Maxwell, Raymond Nichols, Robert Tidmore, Phil Parks, G. V. Ousley, David Coker, Jim Smith and Larry Lummus.

Honorary Pallbearers were the Senior Men’s Bible Class of First Baptist Church, Frankston.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assn., 5604 Old Bullard Rd., Tyler, TX 75703, or First Baptist Church Building Fund, Frankston.

Elbert 'Bill' Gambill

Private funeral services were held for Elbert “Bill” Earl Gambill, 81, of Frankston on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Mr. Gambill was born April 4, 1927.

He died Aug. 12, 2008.

He served two terms in the Army during WW II, and was retired from Standard Manufacturing in Dallas in 1990.

He was preceded in death by a son, Delbert Gambill of Frankston.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise Gambill of Frankston; a daughter, Pama D. Mullenax of Montalba; a brother, Joe Morris Gambill of Memphis,Texas; sisters, Betty Ruth Collins of Amarillo and Dorothy Isom of Stinnett, Texas; six grandchildren, James Matthews of Frankston, Wyndell Matthews ofFrankston, Andrea Gollihugh of Fritch, Jason Sturges of Montalba, Rebecca Gambill of Frankston and Shane Nelson of Montalba; 13 great grandchildren, Garry Shubert, Tiffany Shubert, Hayley Sumerall, Amber Mullenax, Dustin Nelson, Nicholas Matthews, Micki Lynn Gollihugh, Alexandria Matthews, Jeremy Shaver, Terry Gollihugh, Brijanai Davis, Denzel Davis and Reggie Hollie; three great great grandchildren, Austin Shubert, Riley Galaz and Serenity Mullenax.

Archie 'Buck' Goode

Funeral services for Archie F. “Buck” Goode, 72, of Frankston, were held Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Pastor Keith Milam and Bro. Jerry Don Stanger officiating.

Burial followed at Berry Family Cemetery near Berryville, Texas.

Mr. Goode died Thursday, Aug. 14, in Tyler.

He was born Nov. 16, 1935 in Dallas and was a member of the Power and Praise Tabernacle Church in Frankston. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean conflict.

Mr. Goode was employed in automotive repair for over 38 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Archie Paul Goode and his mother, Clara Wilson Goode.

He is survived by his wife, Sara Jane Berry Goode; sons, Wayne Goode and Victor Michael Goode; step-sons, Jerry and Cathy Moss and Robert and Sissi Moss; step-daughter, Gay Tolentino; grandchildren, Bonnie Jean Goode, Westley Goode, Megan Speaks, Rebekah Moss, Josh Moss, Jacob Moss, Jordan Moss, Laurin Perry and Chris Johnson; and a great grandchild, Angela Goode.

Pallbearers were Sonny Goode, Tommy Goode, Josh Moss, Jacob Moss, Chris Johnson, Westley Goode and Dusty Speaks.

Honorary Pallbearers were Alfred Weir, Louis Fields and Fred LaCroix.

Luther Ray Doughty, Jr.

Funeral services for Luther Ray Doughty Jr., 74, of Frankston were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the First Baptist Church in Frankston with Dr. Darin Wood and the Rev. Duane Nesmith officiating.

Burial followed in the Frankston City Cemetery under the direction of Autry Funeral Home.

Mr. Doughty was born April 23, 1934, in Jena, La., to the late Luther Ray and Gertrude Summerlin Doughty.

He passed away Aug. 23, 2008 in Tyler.

He worked for Hunt Oil Company for 39 years, beginning in 1957 in DeQuincy, La. at Clear Creek and later transferring to Sabine Pass, Alvin and Poynor where he retired in 1996 from Fairway Gas Plant.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Frankston.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Lorraine Buckelew Doughty; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Bobby Walker of Forney; son and daughter-in-law,Todd and Tammy Doughty of Thorndale; sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Ray Thompson of Bossier City, La.; sister, Kathryn Lou Breithaupt of Alexandria, La.; five grandsons; and one great granddaughter.

Pallbearers were his grandsons, Robert, Tim and Matt Walker, Blake and Nick Doughty, and special friend, Bobby Holcomb.

Current employees and retirees of Hunt Oil Company served as honorary pallbearers.

Juan Hernandez

Graveside services for Juan Hernandez, infant son of Fernando and Maria Hernandez of Frankston, were held Monday, Aug. 25, at Resthaven Memorial Parkin Jacksonville.

Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

He died Wednesday, August 20, 2008 in Jacksonville.

He was born August 20, 2008.

Survivors include parents Fernando and Maria Hernandez of Frankston and 3 siblings.

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