Maggie Westbrook

Funeral services for Maggie Clakley Westbrook, 87, of Frankston, were held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 28, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. George Folmar officiating.

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

Mrs. Westbrook died Thursday, May 25, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Jan. 21, 1913 in Starrville and lived in Frankston most of her life.

Mrs. Westbrook was a cook at Frankston Health Care Center for 15 years and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Audrey Melvin Westbrook and daughter, Frances Deloris Pagitt.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and June Westbrook of Tyler; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and James D. Carter of Gilmer; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were nephews.

Eula Lamance

Funeral services for Eula Lamance, 91, of Frankston were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at First Baptist Church, Poynor, with the Rev. Jeff Godwin officiating.

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

Mrs. Lamance died Tuesday, May 23, in an Athens nursing home.

She was born Aug. 1, 1908, in Floreen, La.

Mrs. Lamance was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church in Poynor and WMU.

Survivors include a son, H.E. "Tex" Lamance, Athens; a daughter, Ernestine Schanzer, Hitchcock; 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 7 adopted great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were grandsons.

Wesley (Brownie) Henderson

Funeral services for Wesley (Brownie) Henderson, 76, of San Antonio were held Wednesday, May 24, at Faith Missionary Baptist Church with Doyle Warnell officiating.

Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park.

Mr. Henderson died Sunday, May 21.

He was born Dec. 4, 1923 in the Pineywoods of East Texas. He served in the Army during World War II under General George Patton.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy Posey Henderson; a son-in-law, Michael T. Clymer; a granddaughter, Tearanie Kennedy and husband, Jonathan; a grandson, Michael W. Clymer and wife, Brandi; two great-granddaughters, one great-grandson; two sisters, Laverne Lindsey and Amanda Adams, both of Frankston; a brother, Bobby Jack Henderson of Frankston; and many other relatives and friends.

Several relatives from Frankston attended the funeral services.

Kathleen Cook Fitzgerald

Funeral services for Kathleen Cook Fitzgerald, 83, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 5, at United Methodist Church, Frankston, with the Rev. Kevin King and Jerry Beard officiating.

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

Mrs. Fitzgerald died Friday, June 2, in a Frankston nursing home.

She was born March 9, 1917, in Frankston, daughter of M.A. and Lora Kilgore Cook. She graduated from Frankston High School in 1934. She attended Texas Woman's University in Denton for three years before receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and later a master's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Kathleen Cook married Edwin Fitzgerald on June 26, 1938. They had one son, Donald Arch Fitzgerald.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was a retired school teacher, teaching most of her years in Frankston. She also taught in LaPoynor, Tyler and Montalba.

She was a life member of the Texas State Teachers Assn.; vice president of the Anderson County unit of the TSTA; member of the National Educators Assn.; member of the Texas Community Schools Assn. where she served three years on the Resolutions Committee; past president of Alpha Epsilon, Delta Kappa Gamma where she was a member of the State Constitution Committee; advisory council member of the Region VII Service Center in Kilgore for three years, and served as a director of the East Texas Genealogical Society for Anderson County.

She was a member of the Frankston United Methodist Church and served as pianist and organist for 40 years for Methodist churches in Houston and in Frankston. She served on the Official Board and as a District Lay Leader of the Palestine District.

Before retiring from teaching, Mrs. Fitzgerald worked on and was editor of the Frankston history book, Frankston and Its Neighbors, published in 1976.

Upon retiring and a few years of rest and travel, she was approached to begin a library for Frankston. She continued with many long hours and years of hard work to complete another task for her beloved community. With the help of many other people, the community now has the Frankston Depot Library and Kathleen C. Fitzgerald Museum.

She was preceded in death by her parents, M.A. and Lora Cook; her brother, J.M. (Gotch) Cook; and her husband, Edwin Fitzgerald.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Don and Audrey Fitzgerald, Frankston; grandchildren, Drew Fitzgerald and wife, Jayne, of Tyler, Tish Fitzgerald of Plano and Keno Fitzgerald of Nacogdoches; two sisters-in-law, Gwen Cook Boyett of Frankston and Mary Fitzgerald Hargett of Tyler; one aunt, Mallie Mae Cook Averyt of Frankston; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Tom Fitzgerald, Jerry Fitzgerald, Jim Hargett, Bob Hargett, Pat Cook and Roger McDonald.

Honorary pallbearers were Monroe Donk, James Frenenberg, T.L. Beard, Tony Herrington, Joe Tindel and J.C. Hicks.

Mrs. Fitzgerald's favorite things were music and reading. The family asks that those who wish may give memorials to the Frankston United Methodist Church choir or scholarship funds or to the Frankston Depot Library and the Kathleen Cook Fitzgerald Museum.

Lonnie Marshburn

Funeral services for Lonnie Marshburn, 87, of Trinity were held Monday, June 5, at 11 a.m. in Waller Thornton Chapel in Groveton with Rev. John Budd officiating, assisted by Bro. Johnny Taylor.

Burial was in New Church Cemetery under direction of Waller Thornton Funeral Home.

He was born in 1913 and died June 2, 2000 in Lufkin.

He had lived in Trinity three years, and had previously resided in Holiday Hills, Frankston, for a number of years.

Mr. Marshburn was a veteran of World War II, attended Friendship Habor Church and was a member of HillTop Baptist Church in Holiday Hills.

Mr. Marshburn was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Marshburn.

Survivors included a brother, Leonard Jack Marshburn, and wife, Reba, of Dallas; sisters, Edith Mincey, and husband, Sammy, Flossie Davis, and husband, Edward, Syble Anderson and husband, Troy, Louise Baughman and husband, Donnie, and Jewel Cavnar, all of Trinity; 30 nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Pallbearers were Jerry Marshburn, Chris Cavnar, Roy Baughman, Randy Johnson, Ricky Baughman and Ronnie Baughman.

Clayton Ferrell Etheridge

Graveside services for Clayton Ferrell Etheridge, 77, of Reese, were held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Reese Cemetery with Roy Adams officiating.

Services were under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Etheridge died Wednesday, May 31, in a Jacksonville hospital.

He was born April 1, 1923 in Gladewater.

Survivors include sons, Charles Etheridge of Jacksonville; Russell Etheridge, Roy Etheridge and Jimmy Etheridge, all of Longview; daughters, Margaret Hughes of Jacksonville, Sue Aldrich of Dallas, Frances Greenlee of Granbury and Glenda Barry of Seagoville; a brother, David Etheridge of Flint; sisters, Dolas Glover of Houma, LA and Jerri McCammon of Mesquite; numerous grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Juanita Fields McReynolds

Graveside services for Juanita Fields McReynolds, 84, of Birmingham, Ala., formerly of Austin, were held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 28, at Austin Memorial Park with Dr. Roger McCowen officiating.

She died Thursday, May 25, in Birmingham.

Mrs. McReynolds was born March 29, 1916 in Frankston.

She served as an active member of the Briarwood Presbyterian Church and belonged to several Birmingham Garden Clubs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert McReynolds in 1993.

Mrs. McReynolds is survived by three children, Miriam Hand of Birmingham, Ala., Jim McReynolds of San Augustine, and Martha Lasky of Denver, Colo.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 LaCrosse Ave., Austin, Texas 78739.

A.P. (Gus) Abendroth

Funeral services for A.P. (Gus) Abendroth, 85, of LaRue were held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8 in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Jeff Godwin officiating.

Burial was in the Poynor Cemetery.

Mr. Abendroth died Monday, June 5 at his residence.

He was born Dec. 10, 1914 in Brenham. He was a retired U.S. Postal Service worker with 38 years of service. Mr. Abendroth was a Methodist. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Iris L. Abendroth of LaRue; sons, Murray Abendroth, Eustace; Mark Abendroth, Palestine; Carl Abendroth, Palestine; Robert Abendroth, Palestine; Frank Abendroth, Bullard; daughters, Linda Elliott, Houston; Kris Ryan, Denver, Co.; Cinda Siegel, Houston; Sandra Abendroth, Poynor; 12 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, eight step grandchildren.

Grandsons served as pallbearers.

Aretas Acree

Graveside services for Aretas Acree, 63, of Round Rock were held at 11 a.m. Saturday June 17, at Wofford Cemetery near Frankston, with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Mrs. Acree died Monday, June 12.

She was born Feb. 10, 1937 in Frankston, daughter of Julian and Carrie Haynes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Acree; a son, Brad Greenwood; and her father, Julian Haynes.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Julie Greenwood; and grandchildren, Justin and Alana Greenwood of Leander; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Stella Haynes of Bullard; and her mother, Carrie Haynes of Frankston.

Agnes Cecil

JACKSONVILLE - Memorial services for Mrs. Agnes Smith Cecil, 80, of Jacksonville were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Jacksonville, with Jim Race officiating.

Boren-Conner Funeral Home of Jacksonville was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Cecil died Saturday, June 10 at her residence.

She was born March 1, 1920, in Lindale and was a lifelong area resident. She was a housewife and member of Jacksonville Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was preceded in death by a son, Donnie Smith.

Survivors include her husband, Clem Cecil Sr., Jacksonville; sons, Harold Lynn Smith, Lavergne, Tenn., Dale Wayne Smith, Gallatin, and Danny B. Smith, Jacksonville; daughter, Patsy Harden, Frankston; sister, Iva Wood, Homestead, Fla.; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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William D. Benton

Funeral services for William D. Benton, 81, of Reese were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Bill Benton and Rev. Craig Carter officiating.

Burial was in the Reese Cemetery.

Mr. Benton died Wednesday, June 7, in a Jacksonville hospital.

He was born July 13, 1918 in Douglas, Ariz.

Mr. Benton was a retired farmer and charter member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Frankston.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Sue Benton of Reese; sons, Bill Benton and Tom Benton, both of Reese; a daughter, Lestie Inman of Arlington; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Desman Wells, Ed Landry Sr., Ed Landry Jr., Jeff Carter, John Cleveland and Charlie Bettge.

Tamie Kay Brown-Roberts

Funeral services for Tamie Kay Brown-Roberts, 28, of LaRue, were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Burial was in Myrtle Springs Mountain Cemetery under direction of Thompson Funeral Home.

Ms. Brown-Roberts died Saturday, June 10, near LaRue.

She was born May 17, 1972 in Tyler and was a lifelong resident of LaRue.

Ms. Brown-Roberts graduated from LaPoynor High School and attended Tyler Junior College and Trinity Valley Community College. She was employed by Forester Cattle Co. as a secretary.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Stephen Brown; grandfather, Clarence Brown; grandmothers, Eva and Jenny Brown; great-grandfather and great-grandmother, William David and Hazel Simmons.

Survivors include her son, William Casey Roberts; mother and stepfather, Ann and Ken Somerville; sisters, Cynthia Brown-Smith, and Regina Brown; uncle, Rickey Simmons; nephew, Colby Smith; cousin, Steven Simmons; and many loving friends.

Pallbearers were Ron Porter, Buzz Sides, James Feagins, Bruce Tidwell, Danny Neal and Jeff Emerine.

Honorary pallbearers were James Partridge and Rickey Simmons.

Elaine Karen S. Neal

Memorial services for Elaine Karen Sammons Neal, 41, of Poynor were held at Brushy Creek Arbor at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, with Jeff Godwin, pastor of First Baptist Church of Poynor, officiating.

Burial was in the Olive Branch Cemetery.

She died Sunday, June 18, in a Tyler hospital.

Ms. Neal was born at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, daughter of Ben and Elaine Sammons.

She was a detailer at Red Dot Building Corp. in Athens for the past 15 years. She was a member of the first group of female recruits to undergo Army basic training along side men at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Ms. Neal was a member of the First Baptist Church of Poynor.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Sammons.

Survivors include her three children, Rodney Moseley of Tyler, and Jarrette and Erika Neal of Frankston; father, Ben Sammons of Greenville; brother, Eric Sammons of Fort Worth; sisters, Tamara Lester of Hope Mills, N.C., Heather Sammons of Sylva, N.C., and Deborah Sammons of Southern Pines, N.C.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society specifically for pancreatic cancer research at (903) 597-1348 or 1-800-ACS-2345.

Ruby Nell Johnson

Funeral services for Ruby Nell Johnson, 63, of Frankston were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at Evan Spring Baptist Church with Julius Session officiating.

Burial was in Dabbs Cemetery under direction of Community Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Ms. Johnson died Monday, June 12.

She was born Aug. 24, 1936 in Neches where she grew up and attended school.

Ms. Johnson was a dietary aide at Twin Oaks Nursing Home and member of Evan Spring Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son, Elwayne Johnson, Frankston; brothers, Turnel J. Johnson, Palestine, and Clifford Johnson, Lufkin; sisters, Vernell Singletary, Lufkin, and Ruthy Johnson, Frankston; two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Pallbearers were Alfred Dale Singletary, Darrell Johnson, Tilly Moreland, Ronnie Carl Johnson and Daemon Johnson.

Honorary pallbearers were deacons of First Baptist Church of Lufkin.

Arvin De Jong

Funeral services for Arvin De Jong, 63, of Frankston, formerly of Hull, were held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 19, at Oolman Funeral Home, Hull, with the Rev. Carl Klompien officiating.

Burial was in Hope Cemetery, Hull.

Mr. De Jong died Wednesday, June 14, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Nov. 27, 1936, in Hull to Clarence and Mary De Jong. He grew up in Hull and attended Hull Christian School.

Mr. De Jong farmed until 1957 when he moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he worked in a furniture factory. He moved to Texas in 1975 and while living in Jacksonville was a furniture refinisher and provided foster care for elderly veterans.

Mr. De Jong was a member of First Christian Reformed Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence De Jong.

Survivors include his wife of seven years, Lisa Barnes De Jong, Frankston; sons, Monte, Sheldon and Mark of Jenison, Mich., Brett of Grand Rapids, Mich., Joe of Troup, and Cody of Jacksonville; daughters, Dawn Cucchia of Dickinson, Tjanya Sanntoro of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Lainie Ortega of Tyler; mother, Mary De Jong of Grand Rapids, Mich.; sister, Marilyn Maasen of Jenison; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Clem Cecil Sr.

Graveside services for Clem Cecil Sr., 89, of Jacksonville, were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Wofford Cemetery, Frankston, with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Cecil died Sunday, June 25, in a Jacksonville hospital.

He was born Nov. 9, 1910 in Frankston, lived in Frankston most of his life and in Jacksonville for 13 years.

Mr. Cecil was a farmer, rancher, concrete finisher and member of the Assembly of God.

Survivors include a daughter, Patsy Cecil Harden, Frankston; step-sons, Lyn Smith, Tennessee, Dale Smith, Gallatin, and Danny Smith, Jacksonville; sister, Ruth Wilston, Ponta; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Herbert Riley, George Tipton, Jimmy Howell, Ronny Henderson, John Houston and Oneal Smith.

Earl Mays Sr.

Graveside services for Earl Harvey Mays Sr., 75, of Frankston, were held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 23, at Liberty Hill Cemetery, Frankston, with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating. Arrangements were under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Mays died Tuesday, June 20, in a Jacksonville nursing home.

He was born Nov. 15, 1924, in Smith County and lived in Frankston for 31 years.

Mr. Mays was a service technician for Mack Powell Service Station and a Baptist.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Caroline Mays, and son, Earl Harvey Mays Jr.

Survivors include sons, Jimmy W. Mays and Daniel L. Mays, both of Frankston, and Richard G. Mays, Jacksonville; daughter, Marjorie Gail McKinney, Frankston; brother, Elzie Mays, Jacksonville; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

James E. Ward

NECHES - Graveside services for James E. "Jim" Ward, 76, of Neches, were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Neches City Cemetery with Steve Orbison officiating. Arrangements were by Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston.

Mr. Ward died Monday, June 26, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Sept. 16, 1923, in Anderson County and was a lifelong resident of Neches.

Mr. Ward was a farmer and member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Juanita Ward of Palestine; step-sons, Terry Couey of Brownsboro, Danny Couey of Van, Ralph Couey of Montana; step-daughters, Gloria Chapman of Lake Palestine, and Nyoka Berry of Wills Point; sister, Alma Petri of Pert; nieces and nephews.

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