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.)

James Winfred Zorn

Funeral services for James Winfred Zorn, 56, of Palestine were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston with Rev. Benny Walker officiating.

Burial was at the Poynor Cemetery.

Mr. Zorn died Monday, April 28 in a Palestine Hospital.

He was born Dec. 8, 1946 in Palestine.

Mr. Zorn was a TDCJ correctional officer at the Gurney Unit for 18 years and also worked as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Commission. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller with two tours in Vietnam. Mr. Zorn was a member of PATCO and ran for Congress in 1980.

He is survived by sons, Jason Winfred Zorn of Palestine and Justin Wade Zorn of Austin; his wife Betty Zorn of Palestine; brothers, John William Zorn of Jefferson and Thomas Minton Zorn of Longview; sisters Zona Mae Mora of Bryan and Jimmie Dean Gisel of Cedar Hill; three grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, four step children and 10 step grandchildren.

Pallbearers were members of VFW Post 5073 in Frankston.

Honorary pallbearers were TDCJ North Region Transportation group.

Clara Bell Mitchell

Funeral services for Clara Bell Mitchell, 83, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston with John Thompson officiating.

Burial was at Old Bethel Cemetery under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston.

Mrs. Mitchell died Saturday, May 3, in Palestine.

She was born Oct. 3, 1919 in Frankston. Mrs. Mitchell was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Clay Mitchell; and daughters, Clara Joan Mitchell and Glenda Gail Saunders.

Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Walker of Frankston; a sister, Ana Bess Vance of Palestine; five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Dennis Newman, Robert Newman, Gary Sheeley, Sidney Vance, Benny Vance and John Larry Cook.

Honorary pallbearers were Earl Lang and Hayden Mitchell.

Euna Ann Daly

NECHES — Funeral services for Euna Ann Daly, 87, of Nederland, formerly of Neches, were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Neches United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Bradley officiating.

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

Mrs. Daly died Wednesday, April 30, at her residence.

She was born Dec. 18, 1915 in Hawley to the late George and Amanda Wyatt. She graduated from Neches High School, was a homemaker and member of Neches United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard E. Daly in May, 2000; two brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include daughters, Katherine Ellen Johnson, Nederland and Lynda Olson, Riverside, Calif.; brother, Truman Wyatt, Jacksonville; and three grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Jerry Daly, Mark Daly, Leslie Daly, James Faucett, Jim Bob Faucett and Aaron Stasol.

Willie Ross

Graveside services for Willie Lois Ross, 84, of Frankston were held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, under direction of Laurel Land Funeral Home, Dallas.

Mrs. Ross died Tuesday, April 29, in Tyler.

She was born Jan. 10, 1919, in Kilgore to the late Henry and Iva Wren.

Mrs. Ross was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ross; brothers, Jessie Lee, Robert Earl and Henry “Shorty” Wren; and sister, Evelyn Woods.

Survivors include a sister, Cora Lillie, Frankston; brother, Odis Wren, Killeen; special friends, Tony Dennis, Jacksonville, John and Fay Wright, Irving; nieces and nephews.

Ronald ‘Ron’ Menne

Funeral services for Ronald “Ron” Menne, 20, of Frankston were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler, with the Rev. Donald Scott officiating.

He died Sunday, May 4, in Tyler.

He was born Nov. 23, 1982, in Palestine and lived in the Tyler area for about 10 years. He attended school in Brownsboro.

Survivors include his mother, Melba Menne, Frankston; father, Kevin Menne, Frankston; brother, Joshua Menne, Frankston; sisters, Tamara Menne, Frankston, Courtney Menne, New Caney; brother, Kevin Menne Jr., New Caney; grandparents, Lee R. Herman, Livingston, Fannie Petty, Lufkin, Charlotte and Jim Ashwell, Maitland, Fla.

Frances Collins

Funeral services for Frances Collins, 75, of Frankston were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Burial was at the Dabbs Cemetery.

Mrs. Collins died Tuesday, May 6, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Dec. 6, 1927 in Frankston.

Mrs. Collins was a child care worker and a member of Frankston Assembly of God.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wylie Collins.

Survivors are a sister, Edna Knight of Henderson; an aunt, Sally Anderson of Coleman; several nieces and nephews, and many other friends and loved ones.

Pallbearers were Barry Cook, Kevin Menne, Bruce Pinson, Brandon Warrington, Daniel Lookabaugh and Clint Kelley.

Nancy Gail Alexander

Memorial services for Nancy Gail Alexander, 56, of Frankston, formerly of Palestine, were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Lee Lamb and Rev. Doug Blanton officiating.

Miss Alexander died Tuesday, May 13, in Tyler.

She was born April 23, 1947 in Wellington. She graduated from Samnorwood High School and West Texas State University with a degree in psychology and sociology. Miss Alexander was a social worker and member of First United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Geneva Alexander.

Survivors include her father and step-mother, John L. Alexander Sr. and Mary Alexander, Frankston; brothers, John L. Alexander Jr. and wife Donna, Jacksonville; Bill Alexander and wife Jackie, Emerald Bay; sister, Joyce Shipp and husband Roy, Emerald Bay; several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701, or the American Cancer Society, 1301 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, 75701.

Sylvia Furnish

PALESTINE — Funeral services for Sylvia Furnish, 62, of Palestine were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home chapel in Palestine, with the Rev. Rick Dees officiating.

Burial was in Neches City Cemetery.

Mrs. Furnish died Thursday, May 8, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born July 5, 1940, in Anderson County to the late Eli and Lila Elrod Sammons.

Mrs. Furnish was a homemaker and member of Brushy Creek United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin D. Furnish of Palestine; sons, Scott Furnish and Rodney Furnish, both of Palestine; sisters, Billie Riley of Frankston and Marjorie Huntsberger of Brushy Creek; a brother, Guinn Sammons of Palestine; and three grandchildren.

Jenson Taylor

ATHENS — Funeral services for Jenson E. Taylor, 81, of Athens, were held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, at First United Methodist Church of Athens with the Revs. Lynn Parker and Richard Palmer officiating.

Burial was in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Athens, under direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Mr. Taylor died Wednesday, May 7, in an Athens nursing home.

He was born Feb 25, 1922, in Fincastle to the late Wallace O. and Marie Erwin Taylor, and was a lifelong resident of Henderson County. Mr. Taylor graduated from Poynor High School and Henderson County Junior College, and served in the Army during World War II. He was owner/operator of Taylor TV and Repair in Athens, and a member of First United Methodist Church of Athens, member and commander of Taylor Commandery No. 85, Grand Royal and Select Masters, Council No. 40, and worshipful master of Athens Lodge No. 165.

Survivors include his wife, Ouida Magee Taylor of Athens; a brother, Bob Taylor of Poynor; a sister, Eliene Harrison of Frankston; nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Dan Taylor, Bobby Taylor, Randy Alexander, Michael Magee, James Michael Magee and Stephen Magee.

Honorary pallbearers were Foy Magee, James Magee, Jack Magee, Dr. Bob Bruner, Bobby Ray Jones, Billy Ben Barnes, John Rash and Hazel Barnes.

Mary Sue Stewart

Funeral services for Mary Sue Stewart, 96, Neches were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 24 at the First Baptist Church of Neches with the Revs. Charles Grasty and Danny Henderson officiating.

Burial was in Dabbs Cemetery near Neches under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mrs. Stewart died Tuesday, May 20 at the Hospice Homeplace in Tyler.

She was born Dec. 10, 1906 in the Hollywood Community in Anderson County.

Mrs. Stewart was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church of Neches.

She was preceded in death by her husband, E.M. Stewart; a son, R.L. Stewart; a grandson, Michael Stewart and a son-in-law, Billy Cretsinger.

Survivors include a son, Clifford and Bonnie Stewart of Tyler; daughters, Louise Stewart, Neches; Virginia Cretsinger, Broyles Chapel; a daughter-in-law, Valda Stewart, Jacksonville; grandchildren, Carol and Larry Shelton, Jacksonville; Kaye and Jim Keickeson, Tyler; Debra and Danny Henderson, Lubbock; Eddie and Gloria Stewart, Kilgore; Tommy and Debbie Stewart, Neches; Wilson and Carolyn Stewart, Terrell; Danny and Wanda Stewart, Tyler; Marlin Earl and Diane Cretsinger, Broyles Chapel and Phillip Cretsinger, Broyles Chapel; 18 great grandchildren, 12 great, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Ray Parton, George Simmons Jr., Bob Simmons, David Martin, James Walker, Ronnie Walker, Larry Walker and Dale Walker.

Mardis Brasher Jr.

Funeral services for Mardis R. Brasher Jr., 77, of Frankston were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at First Baptist Church, Quitman, with the Revs. Eddie Hilburn and Bobby Renfro officiating.

Graveside services were at 2:30 p.m. in Myrtle Cemetery, Ennis, under direction of Lowe Funeral Home, Quitman.

Mr. Brasher died Monday, May 19, in Tyler.

He was born March 9, 1926 in Kemp. He was a 1943 graduate of Ennis High School and Miami University at Oxford, Ohio.

Mr. Brasher lived in Quitman for 20 years before moving to Frankston. He was a member of First Baptist Church and a retired vice president for Wood County National Bank in Quitman. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity at Miami University. He served in the Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Brasher, Frankston; daughters, Becky Zeller, Missouri City; Janet Blair, Plano; brothers, Bill Brasher, Ennis; Fred Brasher, Amarillo; and two granddaughters.

Tammy Jane Beard

Funeral services for Tammy Jane Beard, 43, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. George Folmar and Rev. Mark Pedersen officiating.

Burial was in the Wofford Cemetery near Frankston.

Miss Beard died Wednesday, May 21 in a Tyler hospital.

She was born May 25, 1959 in Jacksonville.

Miss Beard was an insurance agent and a member of the United Methodist Church of Frankston.

Survivors include her parents, B.J. (Blue) and Frances Colleen Beard of Frankston; a sister and brother-in-law, Lisa Martin and Mark Creamer of Frankston; an uncle, Edward Allison of Fort Worth; a special friend, Kathryn Jeane Dansby of Frankston; nephews, Jody Martin and wife, Angel, Michael Martin, Billy Martin and Jon Dansby, all of Frankston; a niece, Amy Dansby Alanis of Plano; a great niece and nephew, Savanah Martin and Tyler Martin.

Pallbearers were Todd Doughty, Jody Martin, Billy Martin, Michael Martin, Lee Ward, Mike Dennis, Tommy Martin and Steve Beard.

Helen Bruton

Funeral services for Helen Bruton, 81, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Poynor Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Godwin, the Rev. Jimmy Davis and Dean Bruton officiating.

Burial was in Poynor Cemetery under direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mrs. Bruton died Friday, May 23.

She was born March 31, 1922, in Henderson County.

Mrs. Bruton was a homemaker and member of Poynor Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. “Jack” Bruton; a brother, J.D. Bristow; and sisters, Dorothy Butler and Pauline Foshee.

Survivors include her son, Ronny Bruton of Frankston; a daughter, Jackie deNoyelles of Tyler; brothers, Lowell Bristow of Poynor and John Edwin Bristow of New Harmony; sisters, Anita Forester of LaRue, and Patsy Holcomb of Poynor; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Dean Bruton, Dan Bruton, Derrick Bruton, Jeremy Bruton, Bart McKay and Dalton Bruton.

If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701.

Mae Henderson Glaze

Funeral services for Mae Henderson Glaze, 93, of Frankston were held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the Assembly of God in Frankston with the Rev. J.A. Griffin and Rev. Mike Griffin officiating.

Burial was at Wofford Cemetery near Frankston under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston.

Mrs. Glaze died Wednesday, May 21, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Dec. 12, 1909 in Frankston. Mrs. Glaze was a homemaker and a member of the Assembly of God, Frankston.

She was preceded in death by husbands, L.F. Henderson and Buddy Glaze; and a daughter, Maxine Wheeler.

Survivors include sons, Harold Henderson of Bullard and Ronnie Henderson of Frankston; daughters, Nelda Melton and Elaine Griffin, both of Frankston, and Frankie Buchanan of Fayetteville, Ark.; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Elton Jones, Billy Henderson, Travis Dunn, Norman Glaze, John McDonald, Malcolm Robison and Clarence House.

Honorary pallbearers were Willie Smith and Troy Lee McDonald.

Carl Blue

PERT — Funeral services for Carl Blue, 81, of the Pert community, were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at Bailey and Foster Funeral Home, Palestine, with the Rev. Charles Grasty officiating.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at Antioch Cemetery in Hazlehurst, Miss.

Mr. Blue died Thursday, May 22, in a Jacksonville Hospital.

He was born April 20, 1922 , in Vicksburg, Miss., to Arthur and Mary Linda Rowland Blue.

Mr. Blue retired from Texas Eastern Gas Corp. in Houston and moved to Pert 18 years ago. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church, Neches. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Blue, Pert; sons, Robert Blue, Spring; Roger Blue, New Braunfels; Rodney Blue, Neches; brother, Richard Blue, Baxley, Ga.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Ray Parton, Bob Simmons, George Simmons, Dale Ott, Willie Greve, Al Goodman, John Goodman, Rhett Blue and Marcellus Parrish.

Catherine 'Honey' Atwood

LARUE — Graveside services for Catherine “Honey” Atwood, 75, of LaRue were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at Myrtle Springs Cemetery in Henderson County with Dr. Charles Matkin officiating under direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Mrs. Atwood died Saturday, May 24, at her residence.

She was born Jan. 10, 1928, in Springfield, Mo., to the late Willard John and Ada Adelaide Evertz Wilson.

Mrs. Atwood lived in LaRue since March 1992. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary of Delano, Calif., and a 25-year member of Delta Pheta Tau.

She was preceded in death by a sister.

Survivors include her husband, Arlie Atwood, LaRue; a son, John Atwood, Fresno, Calif.; daughters, Sheryl Howell, LaRue, Kaye Klinchuch, Bakersfield, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Honorary pallbearers were Chip Smith, Brian Smith, John Atwood, Gary Howell, John Howell, Jason Howell and Richard Thompson.

If desired, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or to Hospice of Cedar Lake, P.O. Box 2841, Athens, TX, 75751,

Hubert Brewer

ATHENS — Funeral services for Hubert Joseph Brewer, 87, of Athens, were held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 26, at Eastern Hills Church of Christ with David Mahan officiating.

Burial was in Rock Hill Cemetery, Brownsboro, under direction of Foster and Brown Funeral Home, Athens.

Mr. Brewer died Saturday, May 24, in Athens.

He was born Oct. 27, 1915, in Whitney to the late Ernest and Myrtle Nowlin Brewer.

Mr. Brewer served in the Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He owned Brewer’s Department Store in Athens for several years and was a member of Eastern Hills Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Inez Pirtle Brewer on Jan. 15, 1994; a daughter, Mary Denise Jackson; brothers, Ernest Brewer and Norman Brewer; and a sister, Evelyn Meeks.

Survivors include sons, Tom C. Brewer, Carrollton and Alan Brewer, Longview; a daughter, Del Gearhart, Hurst; sisters, Agnes Ireland, Athens, Jewel Murphy, Tyler, Polly Robertson and Kathleen White, both of Whitehouse, Shari Odom, Noonday, and Ruth Tindel, Frankston; brother, George Brewer, Benton, La.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Kyle Brewer, Clint Brewer, Jonathan Gearhart, Daniel Gearhart, Paul Pirtle, Kelly Ireland and Aaron Horiuchi.

Honorary pallbearers were elders of Eastern Hills Church of Christ.

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