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.)

Ruth Helen Boles

Funeral services for Ruth Helen Boles, 74, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Burial was in the Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Boles died Saturday, May 29, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Feb. 14, 1925 in Frankston.

Mrs. Boles was a homemaker and a member of the Frankston Assembly of God.

Survivors include her husband, Les Boles Sr. of Athens; two sons and daughter-in-law, Les Jr. and Becky Boles of Frankston and Dean Boles of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; one daughter, Mrs. Bonnie Piercey of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; one sister, Barbara Ann McClaughtry of Alexandria, La.; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jerry Neal, Bill Harden, Philip Welch, Alan Johnson, Rogers Aills and Jim McMillan.

Amanda (Mandy) Biddle

Funeral services for Amanda (Mandy) Biddle, 97, of Waco were held Saturday, May 22, at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors Chapel in Waco with the Rev. Greg Brumit officiating.

Interment was in Waco Memorial Park.

Mrs. Biddle died Thursday, May 20, at her residence.

She was born May 10, 1902 in Fincastle to William Garland Campbell and Eva Texas Allinder Campbell.

Mrs. Biddle was a member of Kendrick Lane Baptist Church and was nursery attendant at the church.

She was married to Sam D. Biddle for 47 years.

Mrs. Biddle was preceded in death by her husband, Sam D. Biddle; a son, Garland Biddle; two brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Jean and John Phillips of Waco; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Gina and J.J. Smith of Waco; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Sean Sweeney of Waco, Justin and wife, Stephanie Allen of Lubbock, Jodie and husband, Trevor Thuett of Fort Worth; five great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Ella Faye Berryhill

Funeral services for Ella Faye Berryhill, 75, of Cleveland, formerly of LaRue, were held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Midway Baptist Church, near LaRue.

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

Mrs. Berryhill died Monday, May 24, in Cleveland.

She was born Dec. 27, 1924 in Poynor.

Mrs. Berryhill was a homemaker and a member of Midway Baptist Church.

She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Linda Berryhill of Santa Fe; three daughters and a son-in-law, Glenda Straley of Nederland, Nancy Holland of Sante Fe, and Joy and William Strange of Cleveland; three sisters, Esther Roberts, of Frankston, Madelinn Brown of Austin, Jo Rivers of Angleton; 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Grandsons served as pallbearers

Gary Whitener

NECHES - Funeral services for Chester Gary Whitener, 48, of Neches were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at the First Baptist Church in Neches, with the Rev. Charles Grasty officiating.

Burial was in Neches Cemetery under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home.

Mr. Whitener died Saturday, June 5, at his Neches residence.

He was born Aug. 7, 1950 in Jacksonville.

Mr. Whitener had been a truck driver and worked at the Coffield Unit as a correctional officer. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Neches.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Whitener of Neches; a daughter, Misty Hensley of Neches; a son, Gary Lynn Whitener of Neches; brothers, Ricky Whitener and Shannon Bison, both of Palestine; a sister, Sherry Helms of Houston; and two grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Jeff Simmons, Bob Simmons, Carl Ivins, Walter Ivins, Cary Marta, Tim Marta, Richard Cooke and Tommy Lewis.

Honorary pallbearers were Jamie Berry, Pete Yates and Mike Ward.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 189, Neches, Texas 75779.

J.W. Yates

NECHES - Funeral services for J.W. "Papa J." Yates, 66, of Neches were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Robert Pase officiating.

Burial was in the Neches City Cemetery under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home of Palestine.

Mr. Yates died Saturday, June 5, in a Palestine hospital.

He was born Oct. 29, 1932 in Neches, son of Charlie and Eva Estelle Skeen Yates.

Mr. Yates served on the Neches School Board for 32 years and on the Anderson County Appraisal District Board for 10 years.

He was graduated from Bedias High School and was a veteran of the Korean War. He worked as a correctional officer at the Coffield Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Mr. Yates was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Benny Yates.

Mr.Yates is survived by his wife, Connie Mars Yates of Neches; a daughter, Cheryl Ivins of Neches; a son, J.S. "Pete" Yates of Albuquerque, N.M.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers were Bob Simmons, George Simmons, Richard Cooke, Phil Wood, Gary Holcomb and Carson Wages.

Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Building fund.

Lawrence Bizzell

Funeral services for Lawrence Bizzell, 87, of McAllen were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Grover Talbert and the Rev. Louie Barron officiating.

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

Mr. Bizzell died Sunday, June 13, in a McAllen hospital.

He was born Feb. 24, 1902 in Frankston to Lawson and Ellen Hanson Bizzell. He was the first baby boy to be born in Frankston.

In 1923, he married the former Helen Hogue. He attended schools in Frankston.

Mr. Bizzell was a farmer and rancher and later worked at the Feed Mill and Frankston Farm and Ranch Supply until he retired when he was in his 80s.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Frankston.

Mr. Bizzell was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Helen Hogue Bizzell, in 1978; his parents; two brothers; 10 sisters; and his daughter and son-in-law, Marjorie and M.C. "Dick" Dickerson.

Survivors include a sister, Lucille Boles of Frankston; one grandson and wife, Larry and Paula Dickerson, Fairfax, VA.; one granddaughter and husband, Brenda and Lonnie Chandler, McAllen; three great-grandsons, Stephen Dickerson and wife, Angi, Ashburn, VA., David Dickerson and wife, Kathy, Arlington, VA., and Austin Chandler, McAllen; one great-granddaughter, Kelli Chandler, McAllen; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers were Elmer Gene Birdwell, Dana Bizzell, Billy Wayne Bizzell, Alan Johnson, Robert Dickerson and Johnny Burks.

Honorary pallbearers were Jesse Smith, Lloyd Pipes, Clifford Emerson, Herbert Riley, Preston Dickerson, Dudley Warrington and George Tipton.

Memorials may be made to Frankston City Cemetery, c/o Mary Coker, P. O. Box 1136, Frankston, 75766, (903) 876-2365 or the Frankston Volunteer Fire Department.

Les Boles Sr.

Graveside services for Les Boles Sr., 84, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, in Frankston City Cemetery with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Boles died Saturday, June 12 in Temple.

He was born Jan 16, 1915 in LaRue and served in the Army and Army Air Corps. He was a self-employed welder and member of Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-law, Les Jr. and Becky Boles of Frankston, and Jay Dean Boles, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; one daughter, Mrs. Bonnie Ruth Piercy of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; two sisters, Effie Williamson of Tyler and Pauline Hollingsworth; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Jessie "Jerry" L. Mathes

Funeral services Mrs. Jessie (Jerry) L. Mathes, 98, of Frankston were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 11 at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Kevin King officiating.

Burial was in Frankston City Cemetery under the direction of Thompson Funeral home of Frankston.

Mrs. Mathes died June 8, 1999 in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Dec. 22, 1900 in Purdy in the Oklahoma territory.

Mrs. Mathes was formerly of Dallas and Fresno, Calif. She was a retired co-owner of a grocery store in Dallas. She was a member of the Frankston United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Alyce Martin in 1990.

Survivors include a daughter, Dorothy Carter of Frankston; two brothers, Robert J. Mitchell of Lake Palestine and John W. Mitchell of Cameron, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Maxine H. Wheeler

Memorial services for Maxine Henderson Wheeler, 63, of Garland were held Thursday, June 10, at Sparkman Funeral Home Chapel in Richardson, with the Rev. Allen Gregory officiating.

Mrs. Wheeler died Tuesday, June 8, at her home after a lengthy illness.

Burial was in Grove Hill Cemetery, Dallas.

She was born in Frankston of April 6, 1936, daughter of Mae Henderson Glaze and the late Lector Henderson.

Mrs. Wheeler was an accountant for Wood Wilson Insurance Co. of Dallas. She was a member of Cornerstone Assembly of God in Rowlett.

Survivors include her husband, Durwood Wheeler; daughter, Denise Stuart, grandson, Matthew Stuart, all of Garland; her mother, Mae Henderson Glaze of Frankston; sisters, Nelda Melton and Elaine Griffin, both of Frankston, Frankie Buchanan, Fayetteville, Ark.; brothers, Harold Henderson of Emerald Bay and Ronnie Henderson of Frankston.

Bert F. Dowling

NECHES - Funeral services for Bert F. Dowling, 75, of Neches, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the Renfro Memorial Chapel with the Revs. Rondel Slatter and Thomas Pate Sr. officiating.

Burial followed in the West Shady Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Boren-Conner Funeral Home of Jacksonville.

Mr. Dowling died Sunday, June 20, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Jan. 17, 1924 in Neches to George Henry Dowling and Eula Work Dowling.

He was a member of the New Life Pentecostal Church and worked in the timber business. He served in World War II.

He was preceded in death by a son, Eddie G. Dowling.

Mr. Dowling is survived by his wife, Dorothy Ford Dowling of Neches; a son, Malcom Henry Dowling of Reklaw; a daughter, Donna Dowling of Jacksonville; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous step-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Scotty Johnson, James Leavins Sr., E.N. Young, Clint Ray, Jackie Stewart and Paul Hale.

Lee Houston George

NECHES - Funeral services for Lee Houston George, 92, of Neches, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the First Baptist Church of Neches with the Revs. James Blaylock and Charles Grasty officiating.

Burial was in Neches Cemetery under the direction of the Boren-Conner Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mr. George died Sunday, June 20.

He was born May 26, 1907, in Cherokee County, to George Albery and Sarah Caroline Hammonds George.

Mr. George was a member of the First Baptist Church of Neches and served in World War II.

He was preceded in death by seven sisters and three brothers.

Mr. George is survived by a brother, Fuller George of Dallas; and several nieces and nephews.

His great nephews served as pallbearers.

David McMahon

TENNESSEE COLONY - Funeral services for David McMahon, 59 of Tennessee Colony were held at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Tennessee Colony Church with the Rev. Don Crum officiating.

Burial was at Judson Cemetery under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Mr. McMahon died Thursday, June 17.

He was born July 14, 1939, in Anderson County. He was an entomologist and was a Baptist.

Mr. McMahon is survived by his parents, John and Alice McMahon of Frankston; a daughter, Dee Ann Sweeney of Houston; a son, Cary Greg McMahon of Houston; three brothers, Aithel McMahon of Ardmore, Okla., Jerry McMahon of Garland and Joe McMahon of Tennessee Colony; and four grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Jack Williams Jr., Carl White, Chad Williams, Manuel Luevano, Lee Williams and Carlton Allen.

Alma Williams

LARUE - Funeral services for Pastor Alma Williams, 70, of LaRue, were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Union Station AME Church with Evangelist Superintendent G.E. Smith, Pastor Louis Pendleton and the Rev. Henry Clark officiating.

Burial was in Bethel Cemetery, Van Zandt County, under direction of Eubank Funeral Home, Canton.

Pastor Williams died Thursday, June 17.

She was born June 28, 1928, in Chandler to the late Nacy and Willie Mae Earl Norman.

She attended school in Moore Station community and pastored Harmon Chapel Church, Union Station.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Greeley Williams, LaRue; sons, James Ervin Williams, Dallas, and Gerry Williams, Moore Station; daughters, Glenda Williams, Dallas; brother, William James Norman, Dallas; sisters, Earnestine Smith, and Johnnie M. Douglas, both of Dallas, and Patricia Caldwell, Midland, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchilden.

Pallbearers were Alvin Smith, Timon Wafer, Louis Williams, Damion Linnear, Anthony Wafer and Jimmy L. Douglas.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the family and community.

Lorine Woody

Funeral services for Lorine Woody, 84, of the Brushy Creek Community were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the Brushy Creek Cemetery with Dr. Jack Shoultz officiating.

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

Mrs. Woody died Sunday, June 20, at her residence.

She was born Feb. 23, 1915, in Anderson County, to Dr. Samuel Luther and Pearl Gambrell Morrow.

Mrs. Woody was a member of the Brushy Creek United Church and Harvey Women's Club.

She was retired from the East Texas National Bank after 28 years of service and had worked several years in real estate.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Thomas Woody, in 1976; a brother, J.P. Morrow; sisters, Mattie Velma Morrow and Lura Overton.

Mrs. Woody is survived by a daughter, Freddie LaVerne Herrington of Palestine; sons, Joe Mack Woody and Homer Clark Woody, both of Palestine; sisters, Minnie Lee Padgett of Tampa, Florida and Ruth King of Palestine; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Her grandsons served as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of East Texas, 3800 Paluxy, Suite 560, Tyler, Texas 75703; or to the Brushy Creek Cemetery Fund, Rt. 3 Box 3244, Palestine, Texas 75801.

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