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.)

Sally Jane Ayres

Sally Jane Ayres was born on May 9, 1944 at the Nan Travis Hospital in Jacksonville, although Frankston was her home. Sally Jane died on July 7, 2024.

Her mother was Maggie Mae Robbins Ayres and her father was John Smith Ayres. She had three living siblings at her birth, William Augustus Ayres, Robert Chopin Ayres, and Joe Robbins Ayres. One additional sibling, John Smith Ayres Jr., predeceased Sally's birth.

She is survived by brother, Joe Robbins Ayres and her sisters-in-law, Jane Baird Ayres, and Wynelle (Cissy) Holloway. She also is survived by her nieces Mary Margaret Ayres DeVaull, Lauren Felice Ayres Jarocki, Elizabeth Ann Ayres Hancock, and JoAnna Ayres; and by her nephews, William Augustus Ayres Jr., Robert Chopin Ayres Jr., and Nathan McLarty Ayres. Sally had many cousins, all of whom were much loved by Sally.

Honorary pallbearers follow: William Augustus Ayres Jr., George DeVaull lll.; George DeVaull IV; Michael DeVaull, David DeVaull, Tomek Jarocki, Russ Richardson, and Bobby Jackson,

Sally's parents died tragically in 1949 and she and her siblings were raised by their grandfather, John Ira Robbins, and his wife, Gladys Lambert Robbins. She also lived with her aunt and uncle, Louise Robbins Tucker and Dr. H. R. Tucker, of Athens during her last years of high school. She often visited with a much-loved aunt and uncle, Mildred and Mike Wicks, of Ralls, Texas.

She graduated from Athens High School in 1962 along with many continuing close and much-loved friends. Sally did not have children of her own, but her nieces and nephews thought of her as a second mother, and Sally loved them all very much.

Sally had a successful career, most of which was in the employ of Southwestern Bell where she had a management position. At the point of the merger of Southwestern Bell with AT&T, Sally accepted an early retirement opportunity. Thereafter, Sally did not work for pay, but she did significant volunteer work for the Alley Theatre (Houston), the Ronald McDonald House, the AIDS Kitchen, the Shelter for Women, and other charitable organizations. Sally loved animals and contributed time and love for Animal Shelters.

A visitation event is planned at the Autry Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home at 1910 East Tyler Street, Athens, on Friday, July 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

She will be buried on Saturday, July 13, at the Athens City Cemetery on South Prairieville Street at 9 a.m., and a Celebration of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 East Tyler Street, immediately following the burial, at 10 a.m. on Saturday. All are invited to any or all of these events.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church choir, Athens, to an Animal Shelter, or to any charity of your choice.

Priscilla Elizabeth (Scott) Hoffman

Priscilla Elizabeth (Scott) Hoffman of Frankston was born on Oct. 7, 1941 to Adolph “Scotty” and Marguerite Elizabeth (Burford) Scott, in Sedalia, Missouri. She passed on to her Heavenly rest on July 4, 2024, at The Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.

Viewing, Rosary, and funeral service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler. Burial service will be on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 9 a.m. at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington. Visitation will be Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Frankston.

Priscilla graduated as valedictorian of Sedalia High School in 1959 and salutatorian of Texas Woman’s University in 1963, with a B.A. in History.

She married Charles “Charlie” Louis Hoffman Jr. on Dec. 29, 1962, and they raised four children in Arlington. While in Arlington, Priscilla was a homemaker and paralegal. She and Charlie were founding members of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The couple retired to East Texas where they were founding members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Frankston.

A driving force in Priscilla’s life was service to her family, to her faith, and to those less fortunate. Her core belief was always “to whom much has been given, much is expected.” Priscilla was an avid volunteer, serving her church, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, soup kitchen, food pantry, ladies auxiliaries, and religious education. Her most passionate ministry was as a CASA volunteer, advocating for numerous foster children for over 20 years.

Priscilla had many blessings in her life which included loving parents who introduced her to God and the value of hard work; meeting her loving husband on a chance encounter on a train ride from Kansas to Texas; having four healthy, successful children who loved and cherished her; having a strong faith; and being able to serve others in so many ways. She will always be a shining example of what a person can be when God is at the top of everything you do.

Priscilla is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Charlie of 57 years; and granddaughter, Brandi Shelton.

She is survived by her four children: Chuck Hoffman; Patrick Hoffman and wife, Amy; Scott Hoffman; and Mary Hoffman; her five grandchildren, Allison Turner and husband Bobbie, Andrew Flynn, Reagan, Bryce, and Matthew Hoffman; three great-grandchildren, Brandon, Aaron, and Casey Turner; many nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces; Brandon Davidson and his wife Alice, as well as the many other CASA children she was integral in helping through the years; and many, many friends.

Please consider a donation in Priscilla’s name to CASA for Kids of East Texas, 3616 West Way St, Tyler, TX 75703, https://casaforkidsofet.org/donate  or a charity of your choice.

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

William (Bill) Summerfield Walker

William (Bill) Summerfield Walker, 77, of San Antonio, former head football coach at Frankston High School in the late 1970s and early 1980s, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.

Born on Sept. 29, 1946, in Jacksonville, Bill was the son of Woodrow and Lucille Walker. He graduated from Athens High School and embarked on a journey that intertwined his academic achievements with his heartfelt commitment to service and education.

On June 17, 1966, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Diane Litchfield, marking the beginning of a love story that spanned over six decades. Bill's pursuit of knowledge led him to earn degrees from Sam Houston State University and UT Tyler. During the Vietnam War, he served as a pharmacist in the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston.

For over 30 years, Bill poured his passion into teaching and coaching at numerous schools, including Frankston High School and Taft High School in San Antonio. His influence extended far beyond the classroom, touching the lives of countless students whom he mentored and inspired on and off the field.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved parents and siblings, Norene Killingsworth, Nolan, Nathan, and Marilyn Powers.

He is survived by his devoted wife Diane, their children Denise Walker, William Walker II (Heather), LeeAnne Lutz (Brian), and grandchildren Lola Fender, Keely Hovatter, Ira Wilson, Pearl Wilson, Alex Walker, Mandie Walker, William Walker III, Emily Walker, Euan Lutz, Teagan Lutz, and great grand-daughter Ava Hovatter. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law Vivian Litchfield, siblings Harvey Walker (Gail) and Jon Walker (Judy), brother-in-law Bishop Killingsworth, sister-in-law Kathey Walker, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

A visitation and memorial service to honor Bill's life will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 5 – 8 p.m. at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. and service at 6 p.m.

A visitation and funeral service will follow on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. followed by the service at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Black Jack Cemetery, near his former childhood home, east of Athens.

Bill's legacy of love, dedication, and compassion will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Terry L. Stubbins

Terry L. Stubbins, 83, of Frankston, was born Jan. 16, 1941, in Ohio to Harold and Wilma Jean (Deatty) Stubbins. He passed away July 24, 2024, in Frankston.

The family will have a private memorial service at a later date.

Terry was an electrical lineman and worked for various companies over the years. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing for catfish and gardening. Many times, they grew more than the family could eat and they would have to give away the rest. He and his loving dog, JoJo, would spend time out in the garden as well. Terry will be missed by all who were blessed to have known him.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Linda.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 40 years, Peggy Stubbins, daughters, Debra Stubbins, Carla Bice, son, Steven Stubbins, sister, Sandy, one grandchild and many great-great-grandchildren.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

Meghan Danielle Dansby-Wallace

A memorial service for Meghan Danielle Dansby-Wallace, 33, is scheduled for 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with David Craig Dansby and Bro. Randall Jinkins officiating.

Meghan Danielle Dansby-Wallace was born Sept. 14, 1990, to David Craig and Jevette Lawson Dansby in Tyler.

She attended school in Frankston and graduated in 2009. She excelled in academics and sports, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball, making All District, All Area, All East Texas in volleyball and basketball.

After graduating from high school, she attended Lon Morris College where she was a member of the Lady Bearcat Basketball team. Her sophomore year of college, Lon Morris was Region XIV Runners-Up.

Meghan had a love for animals and a tendency to bring them home, daddy giving his okay over mom’s objection.

She worked at Hibbett as an assistant manager and store manager, where she took advantage of the discount to keep her closet full to overflowing with shoes and her daddy with sport shirts. She loved Halloween and kept her decorations out year-round.

She loved Jesus, her family and friends, keeping them a priority in her life. She was very competitive and enjoyed challenges including skydiving. She loved food and would go out of the way on trips to visit the various places she wanted to eat. She lived life to the fullest, leaving no regrets.

Meghan was preceded in death by her grandparents, Earl and Doris Lawson and David Dansby, all of Frankston.

Left to cherish Meghan’s memory are her parents, David Craig Dansby and Jevette (Lawson) Dansby, of Frankston; brothers, Andrew Dansby and Lizbeth Domine of Sulphur Springs and Treston and Jalla Coleman of Tyler; niece, Dalia Dansby-Domine (Peanut); and grandmother, Betty Stevick; aunts and uncles, Randy and Tanya Lawson, Colette and Marc Dewitt, Laurie Dansby, Amy Dansby, Jennifer and Pat Hibbs, Larry Shelton; cousins, Taylore Lawson, Treay Lawson, James Lawson, Kara Shelton, Whitney Shelton, Zane Shelton, Dustin Dansby, Chris O’Dell, Jared O’Dell, Jack Hibbs, Alex Hibbs, Mary Margaret Dewitt and Katherine Dewitt.