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.)
Sherry Welch
Sherry Welch, born March 1, 1938 in Tenaha, TX, entered eternal life on July 12, 2020. She was 82 years old.
A graveside service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2020 at Frankston City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.
A viewing will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.
Sherry was a member of the Church of Christ. She loved her family and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She traveled a lot with her husband through his pipeline work and enjoyed going to flea markets and casinos as well as playing bingo and sewing.
She was preceded in death by parents, Buck and Era Watkins; brothers, Thomas and Don Watkins; and daughter-in-law, Machelle Welch.
Left to cherish Sherry’s memory are her husband of 61 years, Philip Welch of Frankston; her children, Phil Welch and wife Cindy of Frankston, Scott Welch, and Amy Porter and husband Ron, all of Frankston; and sister-in-law, Genova Christian of Longview. She is also survived by grandchildren, Trey Welch (Meredith), Tate Welch (Kaitlyn), Tanner Welch (Emily), Hunter Welch, Connor Welch, Sutton, Vera (Joab), Piper Wynns and Zane Porter; 14great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons Zane Porter, Trey, Tate, Tanner, Hunter and Conner Welch.
Memorials may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice 7925 S. Broadway Ave. Suite 1140, Tyler, Texas 75703.
Carolyn Amy Lorentzen Wheeler
Funeral services for Carolyn Amy Lorentzen Wheeler have been scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Tuesday July 21, 2020 at Baxter Baptist Church with Bro. Jim Duncan officiating, under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
She passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020.
Carolyn Amy Lorentzen Wheeler was born on November 7, 1940 in Bell, California. She was the daughter of George and Emma Buckner Lorentzen. She graduated from Compton High School in 1958. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Master’s Degree in Library Science. She worked at TVCC in Athens in the library for 19 years. She served as Librarian at Jacksonville College for 9 years and also worked at Frankston Depot Library. She retired in 1990. She volunteered at the Thrift Store in Athens which she loved very much. She loved to travel. Carolyn also hosted foreign exchange students, Hildey Eving of Norway, Fran Ziska of Germany and Shirley of Hong Kong. She loved her kid and grandkids and really enjoyed the times when they were around.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her four sons, Tim Wheeler and wife Janine of Athens, Tom Wheeler and wife Wendy of Florida, John Wheeler and wife Stacie of Marshall, Tony Wheeler and girlfriend Vicki Moore of Athens, daughter; Jodie Hicks and husband James of Florida, brother; Don Lorentzen of California, her most treasured dog “Mercy”, grandsons; Tommy, Seth, Robert, Josh, Jordan, Sean and Andrew, granddaughter; Abigal, great-grandsons; Hunter, Elan and Riley, great-granddaughters; Candase, Katie, Anna, Hayden and Kymber, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Wheeler, Robert Wheeler, Seth Thurston, Josh Wheeler, Charles Melton.
The family would like to offer a special thanks to Traditions Hospice.
Steven Wayne Jones
Steven Wayne Jones, 67, went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2020, at home. He was born on June 14, 1953. Steve was the son of William “Buster” Jones and Lorena (Bizzell) Jones.
Steve was a 1972 graduate of Frankston High School. He married Gail Horton on April 5, 1974. They were married for 46 years and had 4 children. Steve worked loyally at the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority for 47 years. Steve also dedicated 30 years of service to the Frankston Volunteer Fire Department.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Buster and Lorena Jones, his brothers: Shag Bizzell, Tommy Jones, Dan Jones, Johnny Jones, and Mikey Jones.
He is survived by his wife, Gail Jones of Frankston; his son, Danny Jones and wife Stephanie of Rusk; his daughters, Jammie Jones of Frankston, Ammie Wells and husband Sam of Troup, and Jesse Jones of Frankston. He had 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry and wife Joni of Frankston; his sisters: Hazel Grubbs of Frankston, Linda Terrell of Frankston, and Pat and husband Ronnie Henderson of Frankston. Steve also had many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020 at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Bro. George Folmar will officiate.
Viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020 at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.
Pallbearers are David Mewbourn, Jerry Beasley, David Brumit, Michael Hatton Jr., Dexter Green II, and Carl House.
The family has asked for donations to be made to the Frankston Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 186, Frankston, Texas 75763 or at Austin Bank.
Linda Sue Johns
A funeral service for Linda Sue Johns, age 66, of Frankston Texas, is scheduled at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Sue will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.
Sue passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2020 in Frankston Texas.
She was born January 13, 1954 in Archer City, Texas to William Macon Johns Sr. and Vivian Ruth (Phillips) Johns.
Sue was employed for over 20 years with FEMA Emergency Management Agency and over 20 years with Merchants Freight Lines. She loved gardening, was an avid reader of classics, and played computer games. She enjoyed watching TV, some of her favorite shows included Pioneer Women, Criminal Minds, Judge Judy, NCSI, she was also a big Elvis Presley fan. Sue loved many things but more than anything she loved her grandchildren.Sue was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert Dale Johns, a sister, Guinn Evens.
Left to cherish her memory are her beloved partner of 23 years, Jerry Whale of Frankston, Texas; daughter, Misty McNeel and husband Mitchell of Forney Texas; son Shawn Andrews and fiancée Kara Childress of Frankston, Texas; daughter, Leighanna Rickman of Arkansas; brother, William “Bill” Macon Johns Jr. and wife Misty of Frankston, Texas; eleven grandchildren, Alexandria, Arin Ann, Tyler, Justin, Nevaeh, Katie, Hannah, Saylor, Bryntley, Daxtyn, and Payton; one great-grandson Liam, and numerous nieces and nephews including Macon, Jonathan, Jacy, and Ivonia.The family will serve as pallbearers.
Viewing will begin on Tuesday July 28, 2020 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.
Pauline “Polly” Hargrove May
Pauline “Polly” Hargrove May was born on November 11, 1921 in Houston, TX to Sam Lee Hargrove and Fannie Mae Hargrove. She passed away in Athens, TX on July 25, 2020.
Polly loved her family dearly, she enjoyed crossword puzzles and was a “camera buff”, loving to take photos and hone her skills with the camera.
Mrs. May was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 54 years, Kenneth May, son, Kenneth Wayne May, siblings: Grace Lambert, Inez Barfield, Christine Cason, and Louella Burnett; half-brother, H.L. Williams.
She is survived by her son, Alvin May and wife Leona of Frankston, grandsons: Micheal May and David May; great-grandchildren: Truett May and Cortney May; siblings: Marie Richardson, Janice Williams, Leman Hargrove and wife Evelyna; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Polly will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Trinidad City Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday prior to the service.
Vivian Rae Dunn Folmar
Vivian Rae Dunn Folmar, age 95, Frankston, entered eternal life on July 28, 2020. She was born Oct. 12, 1924 in Frankston to Tom and Lena Dunn.
Vivian was a member of Frankston First Assembly of God for 95 years. She was employed by the Frankston Paper Box Company for 29 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 51 years, Jim Folmar; son-in-law, Robert Tidmore; grandson, Shannon Phillips; brother, Billy Dunn and sister, Lillian Larson.
Left to cherish Vivian’s memory are her children, Wayne and Diane Phillips, Linda Tidmore, James and Judy Tidmore, and Gene and Gail Birdwell; her brother, Travis Dunn and wife Marianne; her grandchildren Rusty and Susan Phillips, Johna Driskill, Bryant and Marnie Tidmore, Robin Tidmore, Mikey and Ashlie Tidmore, Brande Birdwell, Joe and Amber Wiggins, Lance and Raeanne Ellis and Walt and Jessica Ottaberry.
Her great-grandchildren are Paige Phillips, Blake and Randi Phillips, Rustin and Samantha Phillips, J.R. and Megan Newman, Logan Newman, Lanee Tidmore, Tanner Tidmore, Payton Tidmore, Jessica Wiggins, Julie Wiggins, Lane Scarbrough, Aubrey Scarbrough, Mason Ellis, Jessie Ellis, Ty Ottaberry, Brey and Twila Ottaberry, Erin and Drew Gordon; and great-great grandchildren, Cason Phillips, Riley Phillips, Jordyn Phillps, Waylon Newman, Morgan Newman, Shane Tidmore, Hazen Conrad, Beau Gordon, Wrenley Gordon; special friends, Cameron and Kent Billingsley; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Frankston City Cemetery with George Folmar officiating. Music soloists are Debby O’Neal, Stephanie Smith, Roger McDonald and C.J. O’Neal. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.
A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.
Pallbearers will be Rusty Phillips, Logan Newman, Blake Phillips, Bryant Tidmore, Rustin Phillips, Mikey Tidmore, JR Newman, Lance Ellis and Joe Wiggins.
Ronny Keith Harris
Graveside services for Ronny Harris, 79, of Brownsboro are scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020 at Echols Cemetery on Jennings Mountain with Ed Stover officiating. Services will be under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.
Mr. Harris passed away on July 29, 2020 in Brownsboro.
Ronny Keith Harris was born January 31, 1941 in LaRue, the son of Buford S. Harris and Aline Couch. He was a long-time member of the Church of Christ in Chandler. Ronny worked as a senior administrator for the Port Arthur Independent School District for 40 years and later served as a two-time mayor of Brownsboro. He was an avid golfer, a long-time member of the Port Arthur and Athens Country Clubs and had a successful club sales and repair business. He will be missed by all those he knew and loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Linda Harris; son, Greg Harris and wife Stacy of The Woodlands; three sisters, Jeline Perkins of Mesquite, Joy Green of Athens and Wanda Johnston and husband James of LaRue; brother, Jerry Harris and wife Georgia of Athens; four grandchildren, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Rachel and Jared; extended family, Shari and Ed Galloway of Richmond, Virginia and nine nieces and nephews.
(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.)
Sherry Welch
1938-2020
Carolyn Wheeler
1940-2020
Steven Wayne Jones
1953-2020
Linda Sue Johns
1954-2020
Pauline “Polly” May
1921-2020
Vivian Rae Dunn Folmar
1924-2020
Ronny Keith Harris
1941-2020
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