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.)

Doris Jannette Belcher

Graveside services for Doris Jannette Belcher, 86 of Athens have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday Jan. 7, 2021 at Athens Cemetery with Bro. Scott Wiley officiating, under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

She passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 2, 2021 in Athens.

She was born Dec. 14, 1934 in Frankston to the late Lloyd Dunklin and Susie Walker Dunklin. Doris retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and taking care of her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Susie Walker Dunklin, husband, Marlin Belcher; son, Dale Belcher; brothers, James Dunklin and Larry “Bico” Dunklin; brother-in-law, Bill Clark; sister, Barbara Dunklin Holt.

Survivors include her daughters Gail Garrett of Athens, Pam Bostick and husband Mark of Frankston; brother John Dunklin of Cross Roads; sisters Martha Clark of Athens, Judy Lookabaugh and husband Kenneth of Athens; grandchildren Marla, Trey, Kody, Kristin, Brandi, Ben, Brittany and Blake; 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

If desired memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 621, Athens, Texas 75751.

Mark Allen McWilliams

Mark Allen McWilliams, 62, of Frankston went to be with the Lord on Sunday Jan. 3, 2021.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at Starrville Methodist Church, 17339 FM 16, Winona Texas, with Rev. Rod Sanford officiating. Marvin Methodist Church of Tyler will be providing the music.

Burial will be in Starrville Cemetery following the service. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Rev. Mark McWilliams was born in Amarillo. He was a licensed minister through International Ministerial Fellowship. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1976 and was on the wrestling team.

Mark retired from the Department of Energy, Pantex plant in Amarillo after approximately 20 years of service. He then moved to Bullhead City, Ariz. where he was a hospice Chaplain ministering to those who had six months or less to live. He loved the people and ministered with heartfelt compassion.

Mark preached at various churches in Amarillo, such as La Cosecha Ministeria, spoke to young teens, and he and his wife were prayer ministers at Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo where they were members.

Mark and Rosemary moved to East Texas in 2017 and accepted the position as pastor at Starrville Methodist Church in June of 2019. A community prayer service started by Mark and his wife has been held each Tuesday since January of 2020 and shall continue.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary, a brother Laine McWilliams, a niece and nephew, both of Amarillo, Alyssa Jenkins and Dustin McWilliams, and a great niece Makala Robertson.

Pallbearers will be Dustin McWilliams, Alex Miller, Joe Snodgrass, David Fowler and David Miller.

Betty Ousley

Betty Ousley was born April 27, 1935 and entered eternal life on Jan. 4, 2021. She was 85 years old.

A funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Frankston. Rev. Scott Wiley and Rev. Ron Ivey will officiate. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mrs. Ousley will be laid to rest at Jarratt Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Visitation is Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Fannie (Lightsey) Haws; and brothers, Joe and Paul Haws.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, G.V. “Bo” Ousley of Frankston; children, Mark Ousley and Lea Anne of Jacksonville, Angela Porter and husband Greg of Tyler and Carol Gideon and husband Anthony of Lindale. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Gregg of Jacksonville; sister-in-law, Wanda Haws of Jacksonville; grandchildren Michelle Alanis and husband Josh, Aaron Ousley and wife Heather, Sarah Albert and husband Chad, Madeline Porter, Colby Porter, Meredith Porter, Ryan Gideon, and Blaine Gideon; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Josh Alanis, Brandon Creech, Blaine Gideon, Ryan Gideon, Aaron Ousley, and Colby Porter. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Beard, Johnny Burks, David Coker, Mike Cook, L.D. Dickerson, Steve Hicks, Larry Lumus, Joey Maxwell, Raymond Nichols, Jessie Smith, and Jim Smith.

James Howard Donahue

James Howard Donahue was born on Nov. 17, 1933 in Cherokee County. He entered eternal life on Jan. 14, 2021.

Services will be held at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Eulogy will be presented by Pastor Patsy Milam. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. service. James will be laid to rest in Frankston City Cemetery.

James was 87 years old and was a cowboy at heart. He was an avid horse and dog lover. He worked hard and loved harder. His wife, Mary Belle Donahue, stood by his side for 65 years through thick and thin, sickness and in health, and had a love that was inseparable from first sight. They had eight wonderful children. Daughters: Elaine and husband Charles Adams, Juanita and husband JD Davenport, Brenda Henderson, Sandra Sotelo, Deborah Donahue. Sons: Roger McIntyre, Thomas McIntyre, Jimmy and wife Debbie Donahue. He has 33 grandchildren. and three generations of great-grandchildren.

As we are all gathered, we rejoice in his eternal new life. He will always be in our hearts and dearly missed until we join him in eternity!

Pallbearers will be Jason Donahue, John Davenport, Wayne Purkey, Gage Rice, Josh McMichael, and Benny Davenport. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons.

Taryn Evans

On January 16, 2021, Taryn Evans entered eternal life at the age of 45.

She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Frankston. For over 20 years, she worked as a social worker and was currently employed with Hospice Plus in Athens.

Taryn loved sports especially football and her Dallas Cowboys. She also loved DIY projects, drinking coffee, shopping on-line, reading books and helping others, but she was the happiest when she was around her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Ellis; grandparents, Lila and Bill Baty, Maxine and Pete Keeton, and Marshall Ellis.

Left to cherish her memory are her father, Joe Ellis; sons, Xander Long and Brandt Evans, both of Frankston; fiancé, Jay Headen of Frankston; stepchildren, Justin and Cayla Headen, both of Gladewater; sister and brother-in-law, Kay and David Diaz of San Antonio; and grandmother, Johnnie Lou Ellis. She is also survived by grandchildren, Jaxon and Cami; several aunts, uncles, cousins; nieces Zoei and Blaise; nephew, Keeton; and numerous friends including Charla Davis, Denise Johnson and Trisha Johnson.

Rather than customary condolences, in memory of her mother, Linda, who died of melanoma, donations can be made at www.cancer.org .

Services for Taryn will be held at a later date.

Florence “Flo” Bussey

Florence “Flo” Bussey was born Jan. 2, 1937 and entered eternal life on Jan. 19, 2021. She was 84 years old.

A service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Frankston. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston. Rev. Scott Wiley and Rev. J.A. Griffin will officiate.

Flo will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Flo was a member of First Baptist Church in Frankston. She was a former member of the Frankston Garden Club. She loved her antique roses, red roses and her lantanas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Jennie Henry and brother, Gus Henry.

Flo is survived by her husband of 65 years, Billy Bussey; her son, Alan Bussey of Frankston and her daughter, Diana Dugan and husband Mike of Quitman. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Keith Dugan Jr., and Dustin Cole Dugan; two great-grandchildren and by longtime friends, Evelyn Harris of Frankston, Billie Riley of Frankston and Bobbie McWhorter of Willis, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Alan Bussey, Bobby Bussey, Mike Dugan, Richard Bussey, James Bussey and Michael Keith Dugan Jr.

James Roy Pool

James Roy Pool was born on Dec. 14, 1942, in Athens to Dinky Bill and Wilma LaDean Bailey Pool. After a lengthy illness, he entered heaven's rest on Jan. 20, 2021.

He graduated from Athens High School in 1961, playing clarinet in the AHS Hornet Band. He attended Henderson County Junior College until 1963, performing with the Cardinal Band, then transferred to Texas Tech University. He also played saxophone with Eddie Trammell and the Skyliners, a local rock-and-roll band.

On Dec. 21, 1965, James married Laura Bickley at the New York Baptist Church. They lived in Lubbock until James graduated from Texas Tech University, BS Geology. James was employed with the Texas Water Development Board as a groundwater geologist in San Angelo. He received a fellowship to attend Baylor University and graduated with a MS degree. They moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where James was employed with the Florida Department of Natural Resources in Environmental Regulation. They returned to Texas and James worked for Subsurface Inc., Houston. In 1978, they moved to Athens, where he established a water well drilling company, Groundwater Services, and was a licensed Texas water well driller for 29 years. He received patents on some of the drilling fluid and mud pit equipment that he invented. He designed, built and operated machines to manufacture water well screens for area drillers and charitable organizations.

James was interested in biblical geology/archaeology research and made several trips to Israel investigating archaeological sites near the Dead Sea and in the Holy Land. He also supervised drilling water wells in Haiti. An avid reader and writer, he has several publications of his research and findings, some being located at the Dallas Baptist University library. He also did extensive environmental and medical research of magnetic effects on health and aging.

James was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Pool Cotten; and grandparents, Lee and Corinne Smith Bailey, Charlie and Ethel Elledge Pool.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years; four daughters and sons-in-law: Jamie and Rob Luper of LaRue, TX; Jennie and Travis Smith of Papillion, NE; Joye and Matt Dittelmier of Bethany, OK; Julie and Austin Hines of Glendale, CA.; 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth and Michael Hughes, Emily and Armando Gallegos, Corinne Smith, Claire Dittelmier, Sarah Luper, Daniel Luper, Garrett Dittelmier and Laura Smith. Other survivors are a brother Bill and wife Susan Pool; brother-in-law Tom Cotten; sister-in-law Quessie and husband Clint Morton; brother-in-law Aaron and wife Brenda Bickley; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jerry Glenn Neal

Jerry Neal was born Sept. 11, 1944 and entered eternal life on Jan. 21, 2021. He was 76 years old.

A funeral service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston. Bro. George Folmar will officiate. Mr. Neal will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Jerry was raised in Frankston and went into the U.S. Navy in 1960. He worked in Industrial Construction on Paper Mills and complexes for many years until retiring to the Frankston and Flint area, starting a residential and business construction company. He owned Lake Palestine Lumber Yard until 1986. He owned and operated Lake Dredging and Lake Construction until retiring. He was a member of Local 21 Insulators Union.

Mr. Neal was preceded in death by father Norman Neal Sr. of Frankston who passed away in 1987, and mother Dorothy Neal of Carthage, Texas, who passed away in 2010.

Jerry is survived by his daughter, Amber Oberg and husband John of Tyler, and brother Norman Neal Jr. and wife Sabrina. He is also survived by grandchildren Vivian and John Calvin Oberg.

Roland Wayne Phillips

Roland Wayne Phillips was born May 12, 1940 and entered eternal life on Jan. 22, 2021. He was 80 years old.

A funeral service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Frankston. Bro. Ron Ivy will officiate. He will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Visitation will begin on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Wayne was baptized at First Baptist Church in Frankston at the age of 8 and was a member of the Evangelistic church in Frankston at the time of his death. He was the former owner of both Phillips Chevrolet Dealership in Frankston and Kilo’s Package Store. Before his passing, Wayne loved spending time at Phillips Ranch and Dairy. He was a loving, giving, and honest man of his word. Wayne dearly loved his family and was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Pauline (Donohoe) Phillips; son, Shannon Wayne Phillips and brother, Marvin Paul Phillips.

Left to cherish Wayne’s memory are his wife of 58 years, Diane Phillips of Frankston; son, Rusty Phillips and wife Susan of Frankston; and sister-in-law, Mary Phillips of Tyler. Lovingly known as “My Wayne”, he will be missed by his grandchildren, Paige Phillips and Tyson Uhlig, Blake Phillips and wife Randi and Rustin Phillips and wife Samantha; and great-grandchildren, Cason, Riley and Jordyn. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Blake Phillips, Rustin Phillips, Cason Phillips, J.R. Newman, Logan Newman, Bryant Tidmore, Michael Tidmore, Tanner Tidmore, and Russell Tapley. Honorary pallbearers are Lane Scarbrough, Mason Ellis, Roger McDonald, Charles Dickerson, Jerry Boles, Larry Q. House and Buster Hicks.

Raymond Lee Nichols

Raymond Lee Nichols went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Jan. 22, 2021. Raymond was born on Aug. 15, 1933 in San Augustine, TX to J.R. and Evie Nichols.

He graduated from San Augustine High School on May 25, 1951. In high school, he was active in FFA, played football, and served as class president his Senior year. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956.

Raymond earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches on Aug. 22, 1957 and he also earned his Master of Arts degree on Aug. 24, 1965. On Oct. 19, 1957 he married Una Mae Sanders. They moved to Burkeville, Texas where he taught agriculture and later moved to Frankston. He taught at Frankston ISD for years and touched many young people’s lives.

Raymond organized and led the Frankston Young Farmers Chapter for many years and is remembered for cooking his famous “well done” steaks. He always had a big smile and loved to laugh with others. He had a fun- loving personality and a positive attitude that was contagious. He deeply cared for others and went to great lengths to help them with specific needs.

Raymond was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for 57 years where he served as a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir and served as a deacon for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law C.F. and Grace Sanders, brothers Neal Nichols and Preston Nichols, and brother-in-law Vernis Stanaland.

Raymond is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Una Mae Nichols; daughters and son-in-laws Gloria and Fred Johnson, Sandra and Steve Westbrook, Janet and Paul Jordan; grandchildren and spouses Kristen Westbrook, Wesley and Claire Westbrook, Jared and Morgan Johnson, Jacob and Haley Jordan, and Rachel and Jacob Svadlenak; brothers and sisters-in-law Cliff and Ann Nichols, Jerry and Linda Nichols, Sandra Nichols, Donna Nichols, and sister Iris Stanaland.

Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 1 from 2 to 7 p.m. Family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

The Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Frankston. Burial service will be at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Shiloh Cemetery in San Augustine, TX. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny Burks, Jerry Beard, Phil Parks, G.V. Ousley, Mike Cook and all former students, faculty, and staff of Frankston ISD.

Donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Frankston.

G. V. “Bo” Ousley

G. V. “Bo” Ousley was born on Aug. 11, 1931 in Gallatin, Texas and entered eternal life on Jan. 29, 2021. He was 89 years old.

A service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Frankston. Rev. Scott Wiley and Rev. Jerry Payne will officiate. Bo will be laid to rest at Jarratt Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Visitation will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Bo was a coach and a principal at Frankston High School from 1956 to 1992 and was a member of First Baptist Church in Frankston since 1957 where he also served as a deacon. He played basketball at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville and Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas. He received a Master’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Betty Ousley; parents, E.K. and Estelle Clara Belle (Gipson) Ousley and sisters, Marie Odom and Sue Chandler.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Mark Ousley and wife Lea Anne of Jacksonville, Angela Porter and husband Greg of Tyler and Carol Gideon and husband Anthony of Lindale.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Mary Gregg of Jacksonville and Wanda Haws of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Michelle Ousley Alanis and husband Josh, Aaron Ousley and wife Heather, Sarah Ousley Albert and husband Chad, Madeline Porter, Colby Porter, Meredith Porter, Ryan Gideon, and Blaine Gideon; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Josh Alanis, Chad Albert, Brandon Creech, Blaine Gideon, Ryan Gideon, Aaron Ousley, and Colby Porter. Honorary pallbearers are his former players and colleagues of Frankston High School.

Rather than customary condolences, donations may be made to the Bo and Betty Ousley Memorial Scholarship Fund at Austin Bank.

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