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.)

Rosie Jane Middleton Dudley

Funeral services for Rosie Jane Middleton Dudley, 90, of Cove Springs were Saturday at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with the Rev. Shane Morgan, the Rev. Dale Jamerson, and the Rev. Gary Dollarhide officiating. Burial was in Old City Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Mrs. Dudley died April 25 in a Frankston nursing home.

She was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Maydelle, Tx., and was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by husbands Charlie McMichael and Glen Dudley; her father and mother, William D. Middleton and Nancy Carrie Masters; daughter Nelda Rawlinson; brothers Frank Middleton, R. L. Middleton, George Middleton, Wesley Middleton, and Elige Middleton; and sisters Roxy Kilgore, Irene Freeman and Thelma Work.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law Joe and Brenda McMichael of Jacksonville and Charles and Elizabeth Stewart of Aumsville, Or.; adopted daughter, Pamela Hernandez of Jacksonville; sister Catherine Sanders of Jacksonville; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 1 step grandson, numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were William Wiggins, Dale Clark, Rodney Jayroe, Danny Aber, Chuck Busby and Marc Bolton.

Allen P. Fletcher

Funeral services for Allen P. (Sonny) Fletcher, 79, of Dallas were held Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. J. A. Griffin of Frankston officiating. Burial was in City Cemetery, Frankston.

Mr. Fletcher died Monday, April 30, at Parkland Memorial Medical Center in Dallas.

He was born Sept. 6, 1927, in Henderson County, an only son of the late Carl (Shorty) and Myrtle (Lamb) Fletcher. He served in the Navy during World War II. He was a military broker and member of Second Chance Baptist Church in Farmers Branch.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Lavada Tarrant and Carolyn Merlau.

He is survived by his wife, Mickye (Walding) Fletcher of Dallas; daughters, Linda Denmon Elphick of Plano, and Donna Will of Coppell; grandchildren, Brandon A. Denmon, Jeffrey B. Denmon, Lauren E. Miegel, Nathan A. Will, and Nicholas A. Will; great-grandchildren, Austin Denmon, Colton Denmon, Logan Elizabeth Denmon; sisters, Norvis Weeks of Frankston, Ferrell Lewis of Trinity, Maureen Bragg of Frankston, and Marilyn Shaver of Palestine; sons-in-law

Arthur Denmon, Clark B. Will and Jim Elphick; several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were grandchildren Brandon Denmon, Jeffrey Denmon, Lauren Miegel, Nathan Will, Nicholas Will, Jim Elphick and Greg Burris.

John R. ‘Ernie’ Callihan

John R. “Ernie” Callihan, 73, of Frankston, died on April 29, 2007, at his home in the Pine Dunes area south of town.

Mr. Callihan was born in Manvel, Texas, on March 21, 1934, to Henry and Rossye Lawson Callihan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Barbra.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Parker Callihan of Frankston; son, Al Callihan and wife, Melba; daughters Debbie Callihan, Janet Callihan and Tiffani Mulherin and husband, Bart; five grandchildren, Jason, Matthew, Brittani, Kendall and Juan; and brother, Rudy Callihan.

Thomas Campbell said, “To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.” The family said, “Ernie has left his heart print on our hearts and souls. Ernie, we all thank you for sharing your humor, love and wisdom.”

Funeral services were Thursday, May 3, 2007, at Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Alvin. Burial was at Manvel Cemetery.

Odessa Cook Mitchell

Funeral services for Odessa Cook Mitchell, 86, a resident of Flint but formerly a resident of Frankston, were at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2007, at Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston with Mr. Davy Carter officiating. Burial was in Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Mitchell died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in a Tyler nursing home.

She was born in Frankston on January 25, 1921. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by son James Earl Cook; daughter Joyce Marie Smith; brother James P. Cook; half-brother Oca H. Cook; and sisters Ruth Helen Davis, Katherine Glenn, Joyce Brooda, Lena Mae Hoffman, Lethia Owens, Ida Lee Scott, and Ara C. Goodman.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Mitchell of Tyler; two grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Sam Griffiths and funeral home staff.

Willie Joe Monk

Funeral services for Willie Joe Monk, 85, a native of Frankston, were held Monday, May 21, 2007, at graveside in Frankston City Cemetery under the direction of Autry Funeral Home of Jacksonville.

Mr. Monk died on May 17, 2007, in Houston. He was a resident of Houston and a member of South Main Baptist Church in Houston.

Mr. Monk was born on Jan. 8, 1922, in Frankston. He worked for Shell Oil Company for 38 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, R. Q. and Eva Monk; his brother, William Monk; and his sister, Rena Alexander.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Rebecca Moren Monk; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Kathy Monk; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Cynthia and Dr. Jerry Roy; grandchildren, Stephen Moore, Christopher and Cyndi Moore, Elaine and Doug Harrington, Valarie Monk; greatgrandson,

Nathan Denny; and sisters, Eva Mae Jackson, Ella Bourland, Irene and R. L. Norris.

John Garlan Erwin

John Garlan Erwin, a native of Frankston and a 1943 graduate of Frankston High School, died on May 13, 2007.

A resident of Garland, Mr. Erwin’s widow is Joyce Erwin, formerly Joyce McGraw of Poynor.

He was born Dec. 19, 1924 and lived all of his young life in Frankston. He enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II as a Seabee in the South Pacific. Mr. Erwin was a barber and co-owner of Abbots Barber Shop for 53 years.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce; sons John Erwin and wife, Charlotte, of Denton and Charles Erwin of Garland; grandsons Michael and Mitchell Erwin of Denton; granddaughter Brittany Erwin of Greenfield, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Artee and Edith Erwin, and brothers, Claude Erwin and Ben “Shorty” Erwin.

Funeral was at First Baptist Church in Garland, and burial was at Hillcrest Memorial Park under direction of Williams Funeral Directors of Garland.

Carroll Kinser

Funeral services for Carroll Kinser, 72, of Gilmer were to be held Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. George Folmar officiating. Burial was to have followed at Poynor Cemetery in Poynor under direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Kinser died Sunday, May 27, 2007, at East Texas Medical Center in Gilmer. He was born on Oct. 13, 1934, in Winona. He was a retired grocery store manager. He served in the Army and National Guard.

He was preceded in death by a spouse, Lynn Pagitt Kinser, and daughter, Susan Kay Kinser.

Mr. Kinser was the son-in-law of Omega Cates.

Survivors include his spouse, DeLoris Kinser of Gilmer; sons Mike Kinser of Dallas and Keith Kinser and wife, Jane, of Nashville; step-son Paul Bemis of Fort Worth; daughter, Judi David and husband, Paul, of Dallas; stepdaughter Jada Smith of Fort Worth; sister Louise Bush of Tyler; grandchildren Chad Kinser of Dallas, Stephen Kinser of Nashville, Taylor Davis of Dallas, Aaron Davis of Dallas, Caleb Davis of Dallas, Emma Kinser of Dallas; step-grandchildren Amber Smith of Dallas and Kevin and Kasi Bemis of Dallas; great-grandchild Madison Kinser of Dallas; step-great-grandchild Kamaron Smith.

Pallbearers were to have been Mark McCarty, Brent McCarty, Kevin Clark, Scott Clark, Danny Bishop, Jimmy McCarty and Chad Kinser.

Honorary pallbearer was Max Bishop.

Visitation was held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.

Malinda Johnson

Malinda Johnson, 77, a former member of the choir and secretary of Pine Springs Baptist Church in Frankston, died on May 20, 2007, at Hospice of East Texas.

Funeral services were Saturday, May 26, at Pine Springs Baptist Church in Frankston with the Rev. Lonnie Ross officiating. Burial was in Corinth Cemetery in Bullard under the direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Company.

Born on Oct. 2, 1929, in Cherokee County, Mrs. Johnson was a graduate of Stanton High School and a resident of Smith County for 50 years. She was a cook.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister.

Survivors include a daughter, Shallonie Stafford of Tyler, and one grandchild.

Pallbearers were Richard Van Zandt, Danny Donnell, Roger Wayne Hurd, Finous Austin, Deon Ward and Jimmy Donnell.

Honorary pallbearers were deacons of Pine Springs Baptist Church.

Charley Van Russell

Services for Charley Van Russell age 88, of Palestine were Monday at Bailey & Foster Chapel with Rev. Theo Johnson officiating. Burial was in Brushy Creek Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Mr. Russell died Friday, May 25, 2007, at Mother Frances Hospital, Tyler.

He was born May 4, 1919, in Maypearl to Charlie William and Myrtle Francis Odom Russell. Mr. Russell was a member of the Pisgah Baptist Church. He was retired as an oilfield worker.

Mr. Russell was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Ida Marseal Russell of Palestine; daughters Francis Gulihur and husband William of Frankston, Deborah Barmore and husband Cliff of Alvin; sons Van K. Russell and wife Marilyn of Pasadena, and Galen Russell and wife Linda of Kemah; sisters Fran Pavloske of Livingston and Audell Churchwell; eleven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Billy Charles Darnell

Funeral services for Billy Charles Darnell, 70, of Berryville will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 1, 2007, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with the Rev. George Folmar officiating. Burial will be at Earle’s Chapel Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Mr. Darnell died Monday, May 28, 2007, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Feb. 17, 1937, in Cherokee County. He was retired from the U.S. Navy and was a member of Ironton Baptist Church in Ironton. He attended Tyler Junior College and Texas A&M University.

Survivors include his wife, Bertie Sue Darnell of Berryville; sons William Darnell with wife, Carol, of Frankston, and Charles David Darnell of Berryville; daughter Debra Sue Wood and husband, Pete Edward, of Berryville; step-brother Wayne Burns of Bullard; half-sister Robbie Dyre of Bullard; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 31, at Thompson Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

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