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.)

Ray Wakeman

Funeral services for Ray Wakeman, 78, of Coffee City, were held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Chaplain Robert Fisher.

Interment was at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Wakeman passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, in Tyler.

He was born October 23, 1936, in New London, Texas.

Ray graduated from Marshall High School. He was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. He worked as banking loan officer and was current Mayor of Coffee City.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edgar Odell and Edna Loden; and brother Richard Wakeman.

Survivors include his wife Linda Wakeman of Coffee City; daughter Ramona Hall and husband Mark; son Christopher Wakeman and wife Robin, all of Raleigh, NC; stepdaughter Barbara Fegin of Santa Rosa, CA; sisters Betty Dowdell of Houston, Marie Redden and husband Bill of Marshall; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were the police officers of Coffee City and Coffee City Volunteer Fire Department.

Rather than customary condolences, donations in memory of Ray Wakeman may be made to Coffee City Volunteer Fire Department, 7019 Pleasant Ridge Rd., Coffee City, Texas 75763.

There was a reception following the graveside service at Coffee City Community Center.

Bonnie Jean Gardner

Bonnie Jean Gardner passed away on March 7, 2015, at her home in Poynor, Texas, surrounded by all who loved her and will miss her dearly.

Jean was born May 8, 1936, in Soda Springs, Idaho, and she grew up in Grace, Idaho, where she enjoyed her family’s ranch with all her cousins.

She graduated from high school and moved to Kansas City, Mo. where she met the love of her life, Larry Gene Gardner.

They married and stayed that way for 58 wonderful years. During those years they moved around finally settling in Dallas. Jean and Larry had a business that was named after her, Bonnie Business Forms, Inc. where she was the comptroller for 23 years.

After they retired together they built their dream home, LaBronca Ranch in Poynor. She loved to ride her horse, Mia, enjoyed cattle roundup with all the family, steaks on the grill, being in her craft room, painting, writing and anything that was creative. Her family and husband were her pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents William Bybee Hawker and Leona Hawker.

Survivors include her loving and dear husband, Larry Gene Gardner; brother Lealand Hawker and his wife Peggy and sister Beverly Green; son Bruce Gardner and daughter Carissa Gardner-Bramlett and husband Micah. Additionally, step-sons Dennis Brown and wife Marie, Danny Brown and wife Regina; grandchildren Jackie Munger and husband Jason, Ariel Seitz and husband Devon, Daniel Brown and wife Fahren, Nicholas Brown and wife Kirstin, Stephanie Cagle and husband Kris, Derek Gardner, Kane Gardner, Jared Brown, and Adam Brown and seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation was held Saturday, March 14, from 7 to 9 pm at the Autry Funeral Home in Frankston, Texas. The funeral was held at the same location Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m.

Robert Tidmore

Funeral services for Robert Tidmore, 70, of Frankston, were held Monday, March 2, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Frankston with Bro. Scott Wiley officiating.

Interment followed at Frankston City Cemetery.

Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Tidmore passed away Friday, February 27, 2015, in Tyler. He was born September 4, 1944, in Athens to D. J. and Louise Godwin Tidmore.

Tidmore was a good and faithful servant to his loving family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

One true passion was his love for God and his church family. Tidmore was a vital part of the First Baptist Church in Frankston. He served God and his church family in multiple capacities. He was a faithful member of the church choir, Sunday school superintendent, building and search committees and chairman of deacons.

He was also on the Frankston ISD School Board from 1985 to 2000, in which he served as president for 8 years. He served on the Board of East Texas Charter Schools from 2004 to present.

Tidmore was owner and operator of Tidmore Contractors Inc. for more than 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 46 years Linda Tidmore of Frankston; daughters Raeannne Ellis and husband Lance of Frankston, Johna Driskill and husband Stephen of Bullard, Robin Tidmore of Lewisville; brother James Tidmore and wife Judy of Frankston; sister Kathy Womack and husband Bobby of Murchison.

Her is also survived by grandsons J. R. Newman and wife Megan, Logan Newman, Mason Ellis, all of Frankston; granddaughter Jessie Ellis great-grandsons, Waylon and Morgan Newman both of Frankston and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were J. R. Newman, Blake Phillips, Logan Newman, Rustin Phillips, Rusty Phillips, Michael Tidmore, Braden Womack, Walt Ottaberry and Jess Satterwhite.

Honorary pallbearers were the Deacons of the First Baptist Church in Frankston.

Rather than customary condolences, donations in memory of Robert Tidmore may be made to First Baptist Church in Frankston or

Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, Texas 75701.

John Houston Bragg

Funeral services for John Houston Bragg, 72, of Jacksonville, were held Wednesday, March 18, at First Baptist Church in Frankston with the Rev. George Folmar and the Rev. Scott Wiley officiating. Interment was at Frankston City Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Bragg passed away Saturday, March 15, 2015, in Frankston.

He was born January 7, 1943, in Jacksonville to A.L. ”Pete” and Opal Bragg.

John was a member of First United Methodist Church of Frankston.

He graduated from Frankston High School in 1961 and was a member of the only basketball team in school history to win a state championship.

After graduation he worked in the oil field until he was hired as a Tyler Police Officer, where he served as a motorcycle officer for ten years.

After leaving the Tyler Police Department, he went to work for LaGloria Oil and Gas in Tyler and remained with them for 30 years until his retirement in 1997. He was a little dribblers coach for about 12 years, coaching two of his grandkids. He loved each and every kid on his team and loved coaching them. He loved to help people in any way he could, loved to plant his garden every year, but the most important thing to him in life was his family. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by father, A.L. “Pete” Bragg.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Patricia Bomer Bragg of Frankston; mother Opal Bragg of Frankston; children John Houston “Bubba” Bragg, II and wife Jennifer of Teague, Tonya Erickson of Frankston and Johna Driskill and husband Steve of Bullard; grandchildren J.R. Newman and wife Amanda, Logan Newman, Kaylee and Karley Erickson all of Frankston, Madison and Landree Bragg of Teague, great grandchildren Waylan and Morgan Newman of Frankston, brother Joe Allen Bragg and wife Pat of Frankston, sisters Martha Kay Burnett and husband Donny of LaRue, Lola Von Richardson and husband Winford of Tyler and Mattie Lou Burnett and husband Danny of Fairfield.

Pallbearers were Mike Cook, Bill Hardin, Dana Bizzell, Steve Hicks, Dan Wagoner and Roger House.

Honorary pallbearers were G.V. (Bo) Ousley, Benny Joe Douglas and the 1961 Frankston High School Champion Basketball team.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

William ‘Bill’ Moseley

Graveside services for William “Bill” Moseley, 88, of Mounds, Oklahoma, formerly of Frankston, were held Friday, March 13, 2015, at Frankston City Cemetery with the Rev. Scott Wiley officiating.

Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Moseley passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Oklahoma.

He was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Ben Wheeler to William and Floy Rogers Moseley.

Richard was an engineer in the petroleum industry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joan Moseley; son David Moseley; and daughter Jacky Brady.

Survivors include his granddaughter Nancy Whetstine and husband Seth of Mounds, OK; grandson Jon Perez and wife Pam of Tyler; and great grandchildren Jon William Perez, Stevie Whetstine, and Davie Whetstine.

Hayden Eugene Mitchell

Hayden Eugene Mitchell, 78, Frankston, passed away on March 19, 2015 in Tyler.

He was born and lived in Frankston, Texas all of his life. He attended school in Frankston and served his country proudly in the U.S. Army.

After his service in the Army, he re-entered Frankston High School and amazed everyone by becoming a graduate.

He retired after 32 years from Kelly Springfield-Goodyear Tire Company. He then fulfilled his life long dream of becoming a peace officer.

He served as a peace officer with the Frankston Police Dept. and retired after several years.

He was a Mason and a Christian.

He also served as a trustee on FISD Board of Trustees for six years. Hayden was a good and honorable man.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred A. Mitchell, and a brother, Ronnie Lee Mitchell.

Survivors include his daughter, the light of his life, Lisa Mitchell Duckworth of Frankston; mother, Mary Elizabeth “Dina” Mitchell of Frankston; two step-sons, Stephen Boothe of Tyler and David Boothe of Frankston; his fiancé and beloved companion, Martha Hills of Frankston; and numerous cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of friends.

At the request of the family, there will be a memorial service held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Frankston VFW Post, for all who want to celebrate his life.

A donation can be made to the American Heart Association or Frankston VFW Post #5073.

Steven Wise

Steven flew away with his loving angels in peace with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 14, 2015, after a lifetime of suffering with Crohn’s Disease.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Mary Blaylock and Allen Burns of Dallas, brother Willie Wise, step-mother Louise (Wezze) Wise and grandparents Bill and Maxine Wise, all of Gun Barrel City.

Steven is survived by his mother Donna Burns Flint; father Rickey Wise; brother Derrick Flint and wife Monica; nephew Max; nieces Julianne and Eva; sister Tanya Flint Price and family; brother Kelly Flint and family; step father Dixie Flint and many extended family members and close friends.

Steven was a very special person all of his life with a beautiful smile and a very loving warm heart. He will be greatly missed by those closest to him.

He loved fishing, camping, cooking, working in the garden and spending time with family and friends.

He spent many camping trips on the Llano River while growing up with his mom and brother. He always made sure the campfire stayed stoked and the beans were cooking in the Dutch oven.

Steven’s memorial and Christian celebration will be held Saturday, May 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Piney Woods Lake Pavilion where he enjoyed fishing from the pier and enjoying the peace and quiet in the piney woods of East Texas.

From Frankston at the intersection of Hwy. 175 and Hwy. 155, go 6.3 miles south toward Palestine on Hwy. 155 to ACR 319 taking a right. Blue and white balloons will mark the way to the lake and pavilion going approximately two miles.

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