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.)

Wendell McDaniel

Memorial services for Wendell McDaniel, 59, of Flint, formerly of Palestine and Hickory, NC, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3 at the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Don Harvey officiating.

Mr. McDaniel died Monday, Nov. 29 at his residence. He was born March 6, 1940 in Denson Springs, TX.

He was a service station attendant and furniture factory employee and was a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Linda McDaniel, Flint; three sons, Sandy McDaniel, Frankston, Michael Sewall, Flint and Danny McDaniel, Ore City; three daughters, Dianna Ferris, Dallas, Marie Drum, Taylorville, N.C. and Betty Soucy, Palestine; four step sons, Bernard Waller, Jacksonville, Emmitt Waller, Jacksonville, William Waller, Montalba and Maurice Waller, Jacksonville; three step daughters, Veronica Lambert, Frances Lambert and Faye McMichael, all of Jacksonville; one sister, Melba McDaniel Voyles; seven grandchildren, 20 nieces and nephews.

Marvin Paul Phillips

Funeral services for Marvin Paul Phillips, 63, of Frankston were held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at the Frankston Church of Christ with Chris White and Steve Orbison officiating. Services were under direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.

Burial was in Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Phillips died Saturday morning, Dec. 4, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Sept. 19, 1936, in Tyler to the late R.M. and Pauline Phillips.

Mr. Phillips was a graduate of Frankston High School and served in the United States Air Force. He had lived in Frankston since 1947.

Mr. Phillips married Mary McLane Phillips on July 8, 1960 in Frankston where they have made their home for 39 years.

He enjoyed woodworking, all kinds of sports and most of all, working in his yard. He was a member of the Frankston Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his father, R.M. Phillips; his mother, Pauline Phillips; and a nephew, Shannon Wayne Phillips.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Phillips of Frankston; daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Carl Tapley of Tyler; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Diane Phillips of Frankston; nephew and niece, Rusty and Susan Phillips of Frankston; and aunts, Lucille Phillips and Nora Brown of New Boston, and Erlene Berry of Tyler; and also numerous relatives and close friends.

Pallbearers were Billy Bacon, Larry Weesner, David Smith, Mike Cook, Jimmy Westbrook, Joe Dale Dickerson, Bill Hyde, Johnny Burks, Sonny Perry, Robert Tidmore, Jesse Smith Jr. and Don Paul Shepherd.

Honorary pallbearers were Butch Carmike, Travis Fowler, Larry Dunklin, Ryan Bizzell, J.C. Hicks, Robert House, Gary House, Rusty Blair, Louis Chalk and Doyle Smith.

Mayme Owens Harris

Funeral services for Mayme Owens Harris, 90, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at United Methodist Church in Frankston. Rev. Kevin King officiated and the eulogy was given by Jerry Beard.

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

Mrs. Harris died Thursday, Dec. 2 in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Nov. 17, 1909 in Frankston.

Mrs. Harris was an office manager and managed dress shops. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Frankston.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews and three great nieces.

Pallbearers were Hobbs Atwood, Bryan Atwood, Mike Dennis, Herbert Riley, Jerry Beard, Gene Bryant and Dan Wicker.

Lester Symes

LARUE - Memorial services for Lester Howard Symes, 80, of LaRue, formerly of Hurst, were held at noon Friday, Dec. 3, at St. Stephen Episcopal Church of Fort Worth with the Rev. W.J. Taylor officiating.

Burial was in Laurel Land Memorial Park, Fort Worth, under direction of Advantage Mortuary Services, Tyler.

Mr. Symes died Monday, Nov. 29, in a Tyler hospice.

He was born March 19, 1919, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Jack and Edith Brock Symes.

Mr. Symes had lived in LaRue since 1996, was a system analyst for Bell Helicopters and member of St. Stephen Episcopal Church of Fort Worth.

He was preceded in death by wives, Lois Ruth Symes and Dorothy Symes.

Survivors include sons, David G. Symes, Kaiserslautern, Germany, and John A. Symes, Sebastapol, Calif.; brother, Tom Symes, Sebastapol, Calif.; long-time caregivers, Earlene and Debra Woods, both of LaRue; and one grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas/Home Place.

D. Foster

Funeral services for D. Foster, 90, of Tyler were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Memorial Chapel with Rev. Cecil Harper officiating.

Burial was in Tyler Memorial Park under direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home.

He was born Nov. 8, 1909 in Como. He died Monday, Dec. 6, in a Tyler hospital.

Mr. Foster had lived in Tyler over 50 years and was a member of the Noonday United Methodist Church.

He was the owner of Foster Ready Mix of Tyler, and was also the developer of the Highsaw Addition and Highsaw Water Supply, and a rancher.

Survivors are his wife, Lounette Foster of Tyler; a son, Don Foster of Azle; daughters, Bobbie Nell Sickles of Fort Worth, Jerra Lewis of Garland, Donna Green of Waxahachie and Paulette Ford of Tyler; six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Pallbearers were Charles Adams, Maurice Bobbitt, Fred Etter, Archie Stivner, Gains Oxley and Billy Joe Leverett.

Mrs. Melvin Largent Dresner

Graveside services for Mrs. Melvin Largent Dresner, 88, of Elkhart and formerly of Waco, were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Wofford Cemetery with Rev. Davey Hobson and Rev. Chuck Johnston officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine.

Mrs. Dresner died Tuesday, Dec. 6, in a Palestine hospital.

She was born April 9, 1911 in Anderson County to the late Frank Largent and Alta Reel Largent.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Jack Dresner. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

Survivors include one son, Leonard Christmas of Elkhart; one sister, Frankie DeHart of Calvert; one brother, Johnny Largent of Neches; three grandchildren, Karen Carnes, Sharen Johnston and Renee Watkins; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Damon Carnes, Cody Carnes, Johnny Ray Largent, Frank Largent, Bobby Frank DeHart, Haskell Carnes and Johnny Watkins.

Josie Bell Jordan Austin

Funeral services for Josie Bell Jordan Austin, 96, Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Frankston, were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Mt. Olive Sandflat Baptist Church, Frankston, with the Rev. Daniel Brown officiating.

Burial was in Mt. Olive Sandflat Cemetery, Frankston, under direction of Mercy Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mrs. Austin died Wednesday, Nov. 24, in Los Angeles.

She was born July 25, 1903 in Frankston, Anderson County.

Mrs. Austin was a longtime resident of the Frankston and Cuney area and was a member of the Church of God and Christ Temple and Church of God in Christ House of Refuge, and a member of Heroines of Jericho.

She was owner and manager of a cafe for 30 years and a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband and son.

Survivors include daughter, Lula Bell Garrett; brother, Dave Wofford Jr.; sister, Oressie Armstrong; a sister-in-law, Evia Clayton, three grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Maurice Garrett, Bryan Watkins, Les Morgan, Mark Garrett, members of the family and friends, Chris Watkins and George Garrett.

Honorary pallbearers were elders and deacons of House of Refuge Church of God in Christ, friends and members of the family and Mount Olive-Sandflat Church.

Dewell Edward Hester

Funeral services for Dewell Edward Hester, 75, of the Union Bluff Community in Hill County were held Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at Edens Funeral Home Chapel in Hillsboro with the Rev. Kenneth James and the Rev. Steve Douglas officiating.

Interment was in Hickey Cemetery near Hillsboro.

He died Thursday morning, Dec. 9.

Mr. Hester was born Sept. 17, 1924 in Mayfield, son of Charlie Hester and Lillian Beatrice Malone Hester.

He grew up and attended school in the Mayfield Community of Hill County.

Mr. Hester retired from Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth in 1984 after 20 years as a machinist.

He married Dorothy Leggett Janes on Dec. 16, 1985 in West, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one grandson. He was a member of the Vaughan Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Janes Hester of Hillsboro; one son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Sandra Janes of Hillsboro; one daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Larry Long of Frankston; one daughter, Shirley Sandy of Frankston; one sister, Vivian Hickey of Fort Worth; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty Terrell

LARUE - Funeral services for Betty Terrell, 62, of LaRue, were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home chapel, Athens, with the Rev. B.E. Latham officiating.

Burial was in Leagueville Cemetery, Henderson County.

Mrs. Terrell died Sunday, Dec. 19, in an Athens hospital.

She was born Feb. 4, 1937, in Whitehouse to Alva Clifton and Billie Jo Brown Dalton and had resided in LaRue for 23 years. She was a commercial baker for local businesses and a professional seamstress for beauty pageants.

Survivors include her husband, Freeman Terrell, LaRue; sons, Ernest F. Terrell Jr., Curtis Dewayne Terrell, both of LaRue, and Richard Paul Terrell, Dallas; daughters, Patricia Capps, Alvin, and Karla Terrell, LaRue; brothers, Billie Lee Dalton and Alvie Clifton Dalton Jr., both of Alvin, and Bobby Clifton Dalton, Oregon City, Ore.; sister, Joann Green, Hurst; mother, Billie Jo Dalton, Alvin; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Eugene Spivey, Mike Spivey, Gary Almon, Wade Almon, John Terrell and Coy Terrell.

Honorary pallbearers were David Carnes, Billie Lee Dalton Jr., Rex Terrell, Chris Toney and Donny Peters.

W.V. "Bill" Dressell

Funeral services for W.V. "Bill" Dressell, 75, of Frankston were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in Bailey & Foster Chapel in Palestine with Rev. Kevin King officiating.

Burial was in Roselawn Park, with arrangements under the direction of Bailey & Foster.

Mr. Dressell died Wednesday, Dec. 15, in a Tyler Hospital.

He was born on Oct. 14, 1924, in Palestine to the late Tony Dressell and Lucy Jenkins Dressell.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Odom Dressell; a sister, Mozelle Francis; and a brother, Charlie Dressell.

Mr. Dressell was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. He was retired from Union Pacific Railroad as a conductor. Mr. Dressell was a member of United Methodist Church in Frankston.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Dressell of Frankston; one son, Jerrell Marsh of Elkhart; four sisters, Mary Haugen of Puyallup, Wash., Gladys Snivley of San Jose, CA., Joella Hackett and Barbara Melton, both of Palestine; three brothers, Paul Dressell, Donald Dressell and Tony Dressell, all of Palestine; two step-daughters, Becky Campbell of Frankston and Henrietta Hicks of Palestine; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were David Marsh, Todd Marsh, Donald Shaver, Randy Shaver, Gary Wynne, Jerry Francis, Mark Brourassa and J.D. Pierce.

John Mark Brandon

Funeral services for John Mark Brandon, 6, of Palestine were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Washburn and Rev. Jerry Neill officiating.

Burial was in Roselawn Park under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine.

Master Brandon died Sunday evening, Dec. 12, in a Palestine hospital.

He was born on October 7, 1993 in Tyler to Lyle Brandon and Angie Johnson Brandon.

He was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Bo Johnson and Wesley Brandon.

He was a kindergarten student at Northside Primary School in Palestine. Master Brandon was a member of Southside Baptist Church. He was active in the Palestine Soccer League.

Survivors include his mother, Angie Brandon of Palestine; his father and step-mother, Lyle and Lana Brandon of Frankston; his grandparents, Joel and Jane Brumley of Palestine; a grandmother, Eloise Brandon of Whitehouse; a great-grandmother, Marcelle Winston of Palestine; and one sister, Jessica Brandon of Palestine.

Pallbearers were Blake Brandon, Ross Foster, Collin Mirsky, Samuel Woodard, Mark Brandon, Stuart Brandon and Seth Roberts.

Honorary pallbearers were Banks Brandon, Grant Brandon, David Lust, Farron Roberts, Luke Roberts and Nathan Roberts.

Lillian Dabbs

Funeral services for Lillian Dabbs, 81, of Lufkin, were held at 1:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at Thompson Funeral Home chapel, Frankston, with Bro. Blackie Cranford officiating.

Burial was in Dabbs Cemetery near Frankston.

Mrs. Dabbs died Saturday, Dec. 18, in Lufkin.

She was born July 11, 1918, in Terrell. Mrs. Dabbs was a retired beautician and member of Chestnut Drive Baptist Church of Lufkin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Dabbs; and a son, Jimmy Dean Dabbs.

Survivors include son, Erwin Dabbs, Pert; daughters, Sue Moore, Lufkin, Janet Dabbs-Neal, Frankston, Cindy Smith, Troup, and Becky Norris, Lindale; brother, Thomas Champion, Oklahoma; sisters, Paralee Evans and Dealva Boles, both of Lufkin; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one uncle, Buddy Ferguson, Seattle, WA.; two aunts, Molly Champion, Lufkin and Emma Sanders, Huntington; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jimmy Wankan, Ronny Norris, Rail Smith, Ron Herrington, Brent Bramhall and Jason Camp.

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