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.)

Dorothy ‘Dot’ Jean Eakin Bryant

Dorothy “Dot” Jean Eakin Bryant was born July 4, 1928 in Rochester, Pa.

Always a patriotic citizen, Dot was so proud to have shared a birthday with the United States of America. In 1947, Dot married the love of her life, Eugene “Gene” Willis Bryant, and they settled in Dallas, where they raised their family.

In 1979, Dot and Gene retired to a cabin in the woods of East Texas (near Poynor), and lived there until Gene’s death in 2001. Dot and Gene shared 54 years of marriage. After Gene’s death, Dot moved to Seattle, Wa., where she spent her remaining years until her passing on November 18, 2009.

Dot’s greatest love was her family. She was always proud of their accomplishments, no matter how small. Family said they will miss seeing her big smile and the twinkle in her eye that made them all feel so loved.

Dot was a true lover of the literary and performing arts. Active for many years in storytelling, she organized and served as founding president of the Wynnewood Story League in Dallas, (1953), and also organized and served as an officer for Kickapoo Story League in Frankston, (1985).

As an avid reader, Dot would commonly read a book two or three times in order to digest every detail. She was involved in drama, and in her younger years, acted in several amateur plays. She loved writing poetry and had one poem (“Sweet Fog”) published.

Dot was a wonderfully engaging conversationalist, because she loved to talk and was truly interested in other people. She always kept a pot of coffee brewing, and seemed to have all the time in the world to visit. Dot’s friends and family always knew that they would be welcomed and made to feel special.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Howard Maxwell Eakin, Sr. and Charlotte Wilhelmina Retzer Eakin; and by her siblings Mary Ann Eakin Christiana, Eunice Eakin Pence, Howard Maxwell Eakin Jr., Joyce Eakin Voit, Charlotte Jan Eakin, and Ronald Bruce Eakin.

Her survivors include two sons, Dr. Ronald A. Bryant of Seattle, Wa. and Ray Howard Bryant of Keller; a daughter, Robyn Jana McDowell of Poynor; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A devoted Christian, Dot took comfort in her prayers and in her daily readings of the Bible and devotionals. She was active in Stephens Park Christian Church in Dallas, and in The United Methodist Church of Frankston.

Family said they will especially miss their “Granny Dot” during the holidays. She will be lovingly remembered every year for introducing her family to the most magnificent pumpkin pie ever made, “Aunt Wilda’s Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.”

Memorial gifts may be given to The United Methodist Church of Frankston, P.O. Box 355, Frankston, TX 75763.

William ‘Marty’ Marshburn

Funeral services for William “Marty” Marshburn, 53, of Frankston, were held Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Frankston.

Burial followed at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Marshburn passed away Monday, November 23, 2009 in Frankston.

He was born July 1, 1956 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Mr. Marshburn was a Baptist and a truck driver.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother Elizabeth Bowermaster and grandfather Miles Edward Padon.

Survivors include mother, Jean Jennings of Frankston; father, Alan Marshburn of Bainbridge, Ga.; brothers, Stuart Calhoun of Bonham, Carlos Marshburn and Jamie Marshburn both of Bainbridge, Ga.; sisters, Liz Hawkins of Palestine, Cindy Wimpee of Frankston, Frankie Funderburke, Jennifer Landrum and Zoe Stewart, all of Bainbridge, Ga.; grandmother, Cereda White of Virginia Beach, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jason Hawkins, Justin Hawkins, Bobby Wimpee, Brandon Wimpee, Vic Wimpee and Bill Johnson.

Honorary pallbearers were Bryson Hawkins and Lane Hawkins.

Dora Mae Johnson

Funeral services for Dora Mae “Tootsie” Johnson, 63, of Frankston, were held Monday, Nov. 16, at Autry Funeral Home chapel, Jacksonville with Bro Norman Pope, Bro Chuck Johnston and Bro Don Copeland officiating.

Burial followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rusk.

Mrs. Johnson passed away Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 in Tyler.

She was born January 18, 1946 in Rusk to J. H. “Bill” and Dora B. Lusk.

Tootsie was a member of Frankston Evangelical Church, an employee of Rusk State Hospital for 14 years and a homemaker.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Bonnie Sides and a Granddaughter, Krystal Lacha Donner.

Survivors include her husband, James Johnson of Frankston; daughter, Connie Jackson and her partner David Clark of Frankston; son, Shannon Selman and wife Becky of Slocum, step-sons, James L. Johnson and wife Jennifer of Georgia, Gadon Johnson and wife Heather of Pensylvania, and Matt Johnson also of Pensilvania; brother, J.R. Lusk of Jacksonville; sister, Darlene Lusk of Frankston, grandchildren, Jamie Lee Ramsey, Scotty Lynn Ramsey and wife Melissa, Corey Allen Donner, Shane Kyle Selman, Daryn Keith Selman and Kelcie “Doodle” Brook Selman; eight step-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Shane Selman, Scotty Ramsey, Corey Donner, Daryn Selman, Leonard Sides and David Sides.

Honorary pallbearers were Danny Mainer and Jason Selman.

Martha Williams

Funeral services for Martha C. Williams, 75, of Frankston were held. Saturday, Nov. 28, in Pine Springs Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Hall officiating.

Burial followed in Pine Springs Cemetery under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Company.

Mrs. Williams died Saturday, Nov. 21, in Athens.

She was born April 14, 1934 in Henderson County.

Marvin Rogers

Funeral services for Marvin Rogers, 74, of Palestine, were held Wednesday at Bailey & Foster Chapel with Bro. Bill Miller officiating.

Burial followed in Roselawn Park.

Arrangements were under the direction of Bailey & Foster in Palestine.

Mr. Rogers passed away Sunday in the David E. Foster Hospice Unit of Palestine Regional Medical Center. He was born April 3, 1935 in Palestine, to Johnny Asher Rogers and Jessie Miller Nichols.

He was a retiree in commercial construction as a project manager. He was a Protestant and a member of the William Foster Masonic Lodge No. 312 in Frankston and the Eastern Star.

Mr. Rogers was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Christopher Rogers.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Irma Rogers of Palestine; three sons, Mark Rogers of Palestine, Marvin Rogers Jr., and Johnny Rogers both of Austin; one sister, Jo Womack of Lake Limestone; and two grandchildren, Madalyn and Cecelia.

Pallbearers were the members of the William Foster Masonic Lodge No. 312.

To view online, leave condolences or sign guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com.

Roy Howell

A memorial service for Roy Howell will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church.

Bro. George Folmar will be officiating. All friends and loved ones are welcomed to help us honor his memory.

Jack Rogers

A memorial service for Jack Walter Rogers, 71, of Palestine was held Wednesday, Dec. 9, at St. Philips Episcopal Church with the Revs. Ted Welty, Linda Heron and Roy Duncan officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home and McCoy Funeral Home.

Rogers passed away on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.

He was born Jan. 7, 1938, to Moses and Margaret Rogers and lived his entire life in Palestine, other than his years at Southern Methodist University, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science.

He was a member of St. Philips Episcopal Church for many years and served on the church vestry.

He served as mayor of Palestine for three terms and as Anderson County Judge for two terms (1986-1990 and 1995-1999).

He was owner of Rogers Chevrolet from 1968 to 1997. Jack and his wife Shirley have owned Rogers Insurance Agency since 1997.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Rogers; son, Chris Rogers and wife Toni Lynn; grandchildren, Rebecca, Jack, Alice and husband Jon; grand-grandson Elan; daughter, Melinda Seibel and husband Charles; grandson, Charles Christopher; granddaughters, Christine and Amanda Patterson and husband Anthony; and great-grandchild, Kierstyn; son, Stephen Knight; granddaughters, Kristin and Lacey; son, James Knight and wife Kristie; and granddaughters, Ellisha, Shelby, Taylor; grandsons, Matthew and Adam; sister; Patricia Rogers; brothers, Tom Rogers and Richard Rogers and wife Mary; and numerous nieces and nephews; former wife, Marilee Rogers; and close friends, Jose Escamilla and Mike Bishop.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill Rogers.

Jack was a longtime longhorn breeder and stockman. In his youth he was remembered as an expert skeet shot, holding five world records in the late 1940s and 1950s. He will be remembered for giving numerous homeless animals shelter.

Any memorials may be made to the St. Philips Episcopal Church building fund.

Bob Hoffman

Services for Bob Hoffman, 74, of Tyler, were held Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 at Bullard Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Donnie Barron officiating.

He was born January 20, 1935, in Anderson County, to Homer Wesley and Sallie Belle Cook Hoffman and passed away Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

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

Mr. Hoffman was a member of Bullard Southern Baptist Church where he served as Deacon.

He graduated from Frankston High School, TJC, Sam Houston State University and received his Masters from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Mr. Hoffman was a principal for Hubbard Junior High from 1971-1974 and then principal of Robert E. Lee High School from 1974-1979. Bob moved to the Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore in the Fall of 1981 retiring in August of 1999. He most recently served on the Board of Trustees at Region 7. Bob enjoyed raising Registered Santa Gertrudis Cattle and was a gentleman rancher.

Mr. Hoffman was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.

Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dorothy Hoffman of Tyler; daughters, Sarah Hoffman and husband Roger Williams of Dallas, and Susan Phillips and husband Rusty of Frankston; brothers, Lewis Hoffman of Longview, and Gaylon Hoffman and wife Peggy of Frankston; sister Margie Smith of Frankston; grandchildren, Paige, Blake and wife Randi, Rustin, Joeley and Slade; great-grandson Cason; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Mr. Hoffman’s nephews.

Honorary pallbearers were the Deacons of Bullard Southern Baptist Church.

Memorials in honor of Bob Hoffman may be made to Bullard Southern Baptist Church Building Fund, 716 N. Houston, Bullard, Texas 75757.

For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com .

N. R. Link

Former Anderson County Judge N.R. Link passed away Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, after a long illness, at his home near Montalba, Texas.

He was 91-years-old. Services were held  Monday at Bailey and Foster Chapel with the Rev. John Green of Athens officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Bailey and Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Judge Link is survived by his three children; Nelson Link and daughter-in-law Francis, Andy Link and daughter-in-law Shelia, and daughter, Charla Link, all of Palestine.

He leaves behind seven grandchildren; Jesseca Thompson, Anna Gholson, Levi Link, Sarah Link, all of Palestine, Andrew Link of Lewisville, Texas, Justin Link of Dallas, Micah Link of Lytle, Texas; and six great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by one sister, Wanda Schulze and her husband Ed of Conroe; and one brother, Darwin Link and wife Joan of Tennessee Colony, Texas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gwendol Ann Ellis of Frankston; and his second wife, Francis Wallace of Athens; his mother, Inez Link; father, N.L. Link; and a brother Alan Link.

Pallbearers were Andrew Link, Levi Link, Don Williams, Bobby Stoval, Jessie Light, Jim Ricard, Dickie Douglas and Eugene Arnett.

Honorary pallbearers were W.E. Chaney, Ed Stovall, Leon Rusty Collins and Judge Carey McKinney.

Judge Link was born in the Montalba area of Anderson County, at the end of the First World War, June 3, 1918, and was fond of saying upon his birth he was fed mare’s milk for the first five days of his life.

He graduated from Palestine High School in 1936. He then worked as a truck driver, delivering papers and movies, as he worked his way through Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville. He graduated in 1940.

He got his very first job after graduating, as a teacher of Vocational Agriculture at Garden City High School, Glasscock County, Texas in the fall of 1940-41.

In 1941, he entered the U.S. Navy as a senior lieutenant. He was one of 100 persons trained in the field of submarine warfare. He was assigned as an underwater sound specialist, and instructor, and trained men in the detection and tracking of submarines. He shipped out of Navy yards at Boston, New York, San Diego, Orange and New Orleans.

In 1942 he married Gwendol Ellis of Frankston. After separation from the service, he owned and operated a sawmill for a time before being chosen as a coordinator for the Anderson County Vocational School, which was sponsored by the county school board under supervision of the Texas Education Agency and was tailored to meet the needs of veterans returning from World War II service in training for vocational jobs.

At this time, he is thought to have implemented the first integrated school in the county.

After the vocational school closed, he served one year as a deputy sheriff before resigning that post and accepting the job as Anderson County Veteran Service Officer.

Following the resignation of County Judge Wayne Lawrence, Judge Link was appointed in February 1964 to fill out Judge Lawrence’s unexpired term.

Judge Link then served as county judge of Anderson County for 19 years.

He held this position longer than any individual in the county’s history.

After retiring, he continued to maintain a close interest in county government and spent the remainder of his life working side by side with his son Andy Link on his cattle ranch near Montalba.

To view online, leave condolences or sign the guestbook go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com .

Barry Reece

Barry L. Reece, 21, of Frankston passed away on Dec. 10, 2009 in Bryan.

Private graveside services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler.

Barry was born June 11, 1988 in, North Carolina and moved to Frankston when he was two years old. Barry attended Frankston schools and graduated from Frankston High School in 2006.

Barry is survived by a loving family including his parents, Lydia and Bill Holley of Frankston; grandparents, Milton L. and Sue Robison of Frankston; sisters, Suzan Dees of McKinney and Savannah Funkenbush of Frankston; and nieces and nephews Andrew Medlin-Dees, Katie Dees, and Jada Funkenbush.

Memorials in memory of Barry Reece may be made to NAMI Tyler, P.O. Box 6691, Tyler, Texas 75711.

Larry Long

Funeral services for Larry “Pops Long, 69, of Frankston, were held Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Frankston with Jay Abernathy officiating.

Burial followed at Hickey Cemetery, Hillsboro, Texas.

Mr. Long passed away Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 in Frankston.

He was born February 12, 1940 in Grant City, Mo. to Frank Long and Dorothy Saunders Long.

Mr. Long was a member of First Baptist Church of Frankston, served in the U. S. Navy from 1959 -1964, was treasurer of Frankston VFW Post No. 5073 and was a truck driver.

He is preceded in death by his wife Phyllis Long and his parents.

Survivors include his son, Clifford Long of Dixon, Mo.; daughter, Lesa Blumer of King City, Mo.; brothers, Bill Long of St. Joseph, Mo. and Bobby Long of Savannah, Mo.; sisters, Dixie Ellen Hardy and Wanona Huffman, both of Savannah, Mo.; two grandchildren, Angela and Cory; and several nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers were members of Frankston VFW Post No. 5073.

Leslie E. Wells

Funeral services for Leslie E. Wells, 80, of Frankston were held Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009 at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Lloyd Wells officiating.

Burial followed at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Wells passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 in Rusk.

Mr. Wells was born May 23, 1929 in Conroe, to William T. Wells and Gertie Jane Jones Wells.

He was a member of the Assembly of God in Frankston and retired mechanic for Hunt Oil Company in Poynor after 28 years service.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, J. W. Wells, Bunk Wells and Son Wells and sisters, Gertie Bell Moon and Agnes Hayden.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Wells of Frankston; son, Pee Wee Wells and wife Teri of Centerville; daughter, JA Nell Morris and husband Jimmie of Frankston; brother, Frank Wells of Conroe; sisters, Nan Vinsen of Jewett, Gussey Gates of Fairfield and Mollie Hardcastle of Conroe; two grandchildren, Booger Morris and wife April and Jeanette Lehman and husband Specialist Christopher; and two great grandchildren Dillon Morris and Skylyn Wells.

Pallbearers were Jimmie Westbrook, W. T. Jennings, Joe Dale Dickerson, Terry Smith, Jamey Hyde and Chuck Dallas.

Honorary pallbearers were employees of Hunt Oil Company of Poynor and Arlis Wilks, Billy Bacon, Bill Douglas and Terry Bacon.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

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