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.)

Bonard L. Bruno

Funeral services for Bonard L. Bruno, 75, of Frankston, formerly of Sulphur Springs, were held at Frankston Evangelistic Church in Frankston at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1 with Rev. Jerry Stanger officiating.

Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble.

Arrangements were under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home, Sulphur Springs.

Mr. Bruno died Saturday, Jan. 29, at a Frankston nursing center.

He was born in Houston on Aug. 9, 1929, the son of Louis M. and Elma Florence Allcorn Bruno.

Mr. Bruno owned Big B Gas Service, a propane dealership. He was a member of the Church of Christ and the Lions Club.

He married I.V. Tulley, who preceded him in death, and Wanda Graham, who also preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was a sister, Doris Bruno.

Survivors include two daughters, Evelyn Yarbrough and Sharon Plagens of Navasota; three sisters, Marie Morgan and Joyce Rabel, both of Frankston, and Kathleen Gore of Pert; two brothers Michael Bruno of Frankston and Wayne Bruno of New Ulm; five grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers were Steve Smith, Daniel Smith, Mark Plagens, Robert Gore, Michael L. Bruno II and Ray Holder.

William Lloyd ‘Bill’ Deaton Sr.

Graveside services for William Lloyd “Bill” Deaton Sr., 53, of Midlothian, formerly of Rusk, were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in Frankston City Cemetery with Pastor Kevin Kennington officiating. Services were under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home of Rusk.

Mr. Deaton died Saturday, Jan. 29, at his residence.

He was born May 3, 1951 in Jacksonville. Mr. Deaton was a graduate of Sam Houston State University. He was a lifelong resident of East Texas, formerly of Rusk where he had lived for five years and a resident of Midlothian for two months. Mr. Deaton was retired from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Angela Deaton; and his parents, all of Frankston.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Deaton of Midlothian; seven children and step-children, including sons, Stephen Meador of Wills Point, William Lloyd Deaton Jr. of Tampa, Fla., Judd Deaton of Elkhart; daughter, Francessca Curry of Newport News, Va., Stephanie Day of Midlothian, Paula Jean Deaton of Red Oak, Ashley Holder of Jacksonville; and 12 grandchildren.

Pallbearers were William Lloyd Deaton Jr., S. Judd Deaton, Stephen Meador, Eric Day, Jim Tidrow, Neil Wright, Billy Joe Davis and Randy Conn Tidrow.

Honorary pallbearers were David Denham, Kerry Meador and Kayle Meador.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Norvin D. Nesmith

Graveside services for Norvin D. Nesmith, 79, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Olive Branch Cemetery in Brushy Creek with Pastor Doug Howell officiating under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.

Mr. Nesmith died Sunday, Feb. 6, in Tyler.

He was born April 24, 1925 in Dallas.

Mr. Nesmith was vice president of Jones Lumber Co. in Houston for 35 years until his retirement. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and his church affiliation was non-denominational.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Edine P. Nesmith; a son, Robert P. Nesmith of Corpus Christi; special daughter, Cheryl Nesmith of Frankston; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one niece.

Pallbearers were Jim Dwyer, Mike Link, Dib Link and Bob Whitehurst.

John ‘Jack’ Rigdon

Funeral services for John “Jack” Rigdon, 73, of Frankston were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7 in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. George Folmar and Johnny Smith officiating.

Mr. Rigdon died Friday, Feb. 4, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born July 1, 1931 in Norfolk, Va.

Mr. Rigdon was a parts engineer for Lockheed-Martin, retiring after 33 years. He was a member of Lake Community Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Catherine Rigdon; and a brother, David Rigdon.

Survivors include his wife, Juanez Rigdon of Frankston; a daughter, Sherry Sue Parker of Tyler; sons, Jacky Lee Rigdon of Midlothian and Jerry Lynn Rigdon of Ozone, Ark.; a sister, Katy Webb of San Diego, Calif; brothers-in-law, Robert Smith of Quitman and Leslie Jo Smith of Helendale, Calif.; six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

John ‘J.L.’ Alexander Sr.

Memorial services for John “J.L.” Alexander Sr., 91, of Frankston were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Lee Lamb, the Rev. Doug Howell and the Rev. Doug Blanton officiating.

Mr. Alexander died Friday, Feb. 11, in a Palestine hospital.

He was born March 14, 1913, in Wellington.

Mr. Alexander was a farmer/rancher, and a member of the United Methodist Church of Frankston, and Masonic Lodge, Wellington No. 763.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Odessa Alexander; and a daughter, Nancy Gail Alexander.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Alexander of Frankston; sons, Bill Alexander of Emerald Bay, John Alexander of Jacksonville and Lee Erwin of Killeen; daughters, Joyce Shipp of Emerald Bay and Rilea Cook of Frankston; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Bill and JoAnn Janes of Shamrock.

Honorary pallbearers were grandsons and step-grandsons.

Donations may be made to the United Methodist Church of Frankston.

Guinn Sammons

PALESTINE — Funeral services for Guinn Sammons, 74, of Palestine were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Bailey & Foster Chapel with the Revs. Rick Dee and Gerald Hall Jr., officiating.

Burial was in Olive Branch Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.

He was born July 25, 1930 in Brushy Creek to James Eli Sammons and Lila Elrod Sammons.

Mr. Sammons was a member and deacon of the Westwood Baptist Church.

He graduated from Frankston High School in 1946. He served in the Army during the Korean War and he had been a mechanic for Palestine Glass Containers for many years.

Mr. Sammons was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James Steven Sammons in 1994; and a sister, Sylvia Furnish.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline Sammons of Palestine; a daughter, Guinndlyn Gunnels and husband Tommy of Palestine; sisters, Billie Riley and husband Herbert of Frankston, and Margie Huntsberger of Brushy Creek; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Herbert Trussell, Barney Paggett, Randall Ward, Jacob Thompson, Vant Williams and Gerald Hall Jr.

Bernice Loette Kitchens Decou

Funeral services for Bernice Loette Kitchens Decou, 75, of Texas City, formerly of Frankston, were held at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at the Assembly of God in Frankston with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

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

Mrs. Decou died Friday, Feb. 18, in a LaMarque hospital.

She was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Frankston.

She was preceded in death by her son, David Kitchens; parents, Matt McDonald and Della Mae McDonald Nichols; sisters, Wilma Jo Gillespie and Georgia Pearl “Mack” Grimes; brothers, Jerry McDonald, Reagan “Steamer” McDonald, Walter Conaly “Slick” McDonald; and granddaughters, Tassa Funkhauser and Sara Wheeler.

Survivors include her husband, E.L. Decou of Texas City; daughters, Linda Staggs of Santa Fe, daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Johnny Wheeler of Frankston; a son, Donnie Kitchens of Berryville; daughter-in-law, Rosa Kitchens of Red Oak; step-children, Melinda Jones of Clear Lake, Lorraine and Lesley Richardson of League City, Jackie and Allen Funkhauser of Texas City; a sister, Corine Huber of Balch Springs; 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Allen Funkhauser, Steve Fisher, Perry Fontenot, Chuck Gilman, Chad Jones and Justin Tippett.

Honorary pallbearer was Robert Gillespie, her brother-in-law, whom she loved as a brother.

Charlene Saunders

Funeral services for Charlene Saunders, 77, of Frankston were scheduled for Friday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Frankston with Rev. Bob Vest, Rev. Jimmy Davis and Tina Parker officiating.

Burial was tol be in the Frankston City Cemetery under the direction of Autry Funeral Home of Jacksonville.

She died Monday, Feb. 21, in Tyler

Mrs. Saunders was born Aug. 25, 1927 in Bruceton, Tenn.

Mrs. Saunders was a retired former owner of Laura Kay’s in Frankston and was a beautician. She was a member of the Country Chapel Baptist Church at Poynor.

Mrs. Saunders was preceded in death by her husband, A.C. “Gully” Saunders; and a daughter, Martha Jo Stanly.

Survivors include two sons, George Stanly of Pasco, Wash. and Fred Stanly of Frankston; a step son, Carl “Butch” Saunders of Alabama; two daughters, Kayla Fugua of Oregon and Laura Wilson, Frankston; a step daughter, Carol Caldwell of Bullard; two brothers, Billy Tom Webb of Huntington, Tenn. and Robert Webb of Bruceton, Tenn.; one sister, Elizabeth Fabian of Berryville; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, five step grandchildren, eight step great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Novis Weeks and Tina Parker.

Pallbearers were to be Shellena Bivens, James Bivens, Mason Bivens, Rhonda Hubert, Mike Hubert, Angela Nichols, Curtis Nichols, Charles Wayne Wilson, Angela Wilson, Luke Stanly and Maegan Stanly.

Honorary pallbearers were to be Dr. Bryan Ramsey, Dr. Royal Becker, Dr. Gary Gross and Dr. Gary Babbitt.

I.A. Bounds

TURNEY — Funeral services for I.A. Bounds, 80, of Turney were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Thompson Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Rev. James Blaylock and Dr. John Gregson officiating.

Burial was in Jarratt Cemetery in Turney.

Mr. Bounds died Friday, Feb. 18.

He was born March 2, 1924 in Turney.

Mr. Bounds was a Funeral Assistant at Thompson Funeral Home for 27 years. He served in World War II on the island of Guam with the 20th Air Force Division of the Army Air Corps, 314th Wing in the 39th Group.

He was a deacon at Corinth Road Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Mr. Bounds was preceded in death by a son, Billy Neal Bounds; a brother, George Bounds; and a sister, Wanda Bounds.

Survivors are his wife, Billie Sue Bounds of Turney; sisters, Joy Smith and husband Jerry of Livingston; a sister-in-law, Odie Lee Bounds of Turney.

Pallbearers were Darrell Foster, Roy Foster, James Virgil Moore, Donny Foster, Eric Smith and Mike Turney.

Honorary pallbearers were Truman Goleman, Chuck Thompson, Russell Bolton and Rudolf Masters.

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