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.)

Marie Alford

Funeral services for Marie Alford, 74, of Frankston, were held Saturday, May 1, at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Danny Dawdy and Chaplain Lawrence Gautreaux officiating.

Burial followed at Garden Oaks Memorial Park, Berryville.

Mrs. Alford passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in Tyler.

She was born June 6, 1935 in Leonville, Louisiana.

Mrs. Alford was a Christian and a homemaker.

She is preceded in death by her husband Bill Alford and parents Eddie and Polita Gautreaux.

Survivors include daughter Louise Stanley of Victoria; son, Gordon Alford and wife Sherry of Bloomington; brothers, Edmond Gautreaux of Niceville, Fla, Milton Gautreaux of Pasadena, Texas, Andy Gautreaux of Port Barre, La., Eddie Gautreaux, Jr. of Duson, La. and Lawrence Gautreaux of Maurice, La.; sister, Margi Boudreaux of Carencola, La.; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Milton Gautreaux, Andy Gautreaux, Eddie Gautreaux, Lawrence Gautreaux, Margi Boudreaux and Dewayne Stanley.

Honorary pallbearers were Anthony Stanley, Ryan Alford and Shelly Bucek.

Marie Ward Halbert

Marie Ward Halbert, 95, long-time citizen of Jacksonville, passed away Thursday evening, April 29, 2010, at the Christopher House hospice facility in Austin, of complications from a massive heart attack she suffered the previous Friday evening.

Born December 4, 1914, in Gallatin, Marie was the third child of Thomas Alvin Ward and Christianna Musslewhite Ward’s five children.

While Marie was a young girl, her family relocated to Palestine, where she graduated from Palestine High School in 1932. Pursuing further education, she graduated from Lon Morris College in Jacksonville in 1934.

Marie’s 47-year marriage to Joel Gaylon Halbert began in Frankston, after they eloped on June 26, 1935, just prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Army.

During that time Gaylon served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War ll, and Marie was employed by Premier Oil Refinery in Cotton Valley, La., where she resided with her younger sister and brother-in-law, Mary Tom and Gilbert Pollard.

Upon conclusion of Gaylon’s tour of duty, they moved back to Frankston for a short time before relocating to Jacksonville. After their two children reached school age, Marie began her employment with First National Bank, now Austin Bank. After more than 25 years working for the bank, Marie retired in 1987. At the time she retired, she was vice president.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her older brother, Theo Ward, who died as a child; her older sister, Madge Ward of Tyler; and her younger brother James E. “Billy” Ward, a U.S. Army pilot killed in action in 1944.

Marie is survived by her two children and their spouses, son, Joel Gaylon Halbert, Jr and his wife Ellen; and daughter, Joan Halbert Shelton and her husband, Mike, all of Austin. Her sole surviving sibling is her sister Mary Tom Williford of Katy. Many nieces and nephews from both sides of the family will cherish fond memories of their Aunt Marie.

In addition, she leaves behind Ms. Kitty, who will (at staff request) remain at The Summit of Northwest Hills in Austin, to continue her very important work with Alzheimer’s patients.

Besides being a cat-lover, Marie provided room and board to many a backyard songbird. She took great pleasure in flowers and gardening, and only during such tasks might you see this always-stylish lady without every hair in place. Marie enjoyed travel and delighted in sharing her experiences — family remembers her as a great storyteller. Anyone who broke bread with the Halberts will also remember her as an excellent cook and gracious hostess, they said.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, Marie belonged to the Alpha-Omega Sunday School class. She was also a faithful constituent of several social and charitable organizations, including Entre Nous, the Nile Arts Club of Jacksonville, the Fun Travelers, and the Sewing Club — a chatty group whose interest in actual stitchery projects reportedly fizzled out decades ago.

Marie most treasured her involvement in an organization benefiting children’s hospitals — she was a member of the Marching Patrol of the Temple of the Daughters of the Nile (the ladies’ counterpart of Shriners). A loyal patron of the theater, Marie and her season-ticket-holding friends enjoyed countless performances staged by the Dallas Summer Musicals and other theater companies.

Services celebrating Marie’s life were held Monday, May 3, at Autry Funeral Home. Immediately after the service, a graveside memorial also took place at Resthaven Memorial Park in Jacksonville.

Memorial contributions may be made in Marie’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or Christopher House Hospice care in Austin, Texas.

Walter W. “Butch” Brooks

Funeral services for Walter W. “Butch” Brooks, 65, of Jacksonville, were held Tuesday May 4, 2010 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Bro. Larry Smith and Sam Covey officiating.

Burial will follow at Garden Oaks Cemetery, Berryville.

Mr. Brooks passed away Friday, April 30, 2010 in Tyler.

He was born March 18, 1945 in Staunton, Va. to Marvin and Helen Brooks.

Butch was a lifelong roofing contractor, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era and was a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Corine.

He is preceded in death by a former wife, Nina Brooks; parents, Marvin and Helen Brooks; sister, Phylis Switenhal; niece, Tammy Taylor; and a brother-in-law Steve Graves.

Survivors include his wife, Diana Brooks of Jacksonville; sons, Shannon Brooks of Frankston, Walter William Brooks, Jr. and wife Cathy of Seagoville, John Lynn Ross of Frankston, and James Fisher and wife Monica of Jacksonville; daughters, Rebecca Akin and husband James of Frankston, Kama Joyce Brooks of Frankston, Kim Krauter and husband Keith of Tyler and Sandy Sexton of Dogwood City; brothers, Coy Brooks and Donnie Brooks, sisters Doris Bright, Linda Brooks, and Sandy Taylor and husband Bennie all of Staunton, Va.; a brother-in-law, Jackie Graves of Frankston, 13 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Kevin Boykin, Scooter Minchew, James Akin, Thyron Akin, Ronald Rhodes and Bobby Homan.

Honorary Pallbearers were Hollie Morrow, Jerry Ainsworth, Bob Ingram, John Etheridge and Freddie Carroll.

J. B. Grindstaff

Funeral services for J. B. Grindstaff, 75, of Frankston, were scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Autry Funeral Home chapel, Frankston with the Rev. George Folmar officiating.

Burial was scheduled to follow at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville.

Mr. Grindstaff passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2010 in Tyler.

He was born October 26, 1934 in Erwin, Tenn.

Mr. Grindstaff was a retired plumber. He served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Grindstaff of Frankston; sons, Billy Lewis and wife Kelly of Houston and James Gray and wife Rosemary of Leggett; daughter, Donna Rivera and husband Roland of Frankston; brother, Clyde Grindstaff of Johnson City, Tenn.; sister, Bea Ford of Erwin, Tenn.; eight grandchildren Billy Lewis, Jr., Josh Robertson, Melissa, Tamara Robertson, Briana Garrett, Jacob Garrett, Samantha Gray and James Gray, Jr.; and nephew Joe Wayne Castle.

Pallbearers were Billy Lewis, James Gray, Billy Lewis, Jr., Josh Robertson, Wayne Bentley and Kalob Bentley.

Daisie ‘Dixie’ Rash

Funeral services for Daisie “Dixie” Rash, 73, of Frankston, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 14, at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Mort Edwards officiating.

Burial will follow at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Rash passed away Sunday, May 9, 2010 in Frankston.

She was born July 3, 1926 in Bethel, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Rash was a member of Frankston Missionary Baptist Church and was a homemaker.

She is preceded in death by her son Donnie Wayne Rash; father, William Lee Phillips; mother and step father, Hettie and Neely Moore; and sisters, Bessie Davis and Melva Winship.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, William Edward Rash, Sr. of Frankston; sons, William Edward Rash, Jr. of Palestine and Robert Allen Rash of Frankston; daughters, Sherri Yvonne McCathrin of Garland and Teresa Annette Rhodes of Frankston; sisters, Ruby Anderson of Cheney, Kan. and Nellie Brooks of Bethel, Okla.; brothers, Mason Phillips of Sacramento, Calif. and Matt Phillips of Garvin, Okla.; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be the grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Ann Howell Hodges

Funeral services for Ann Howell Hodges, 81, of Frankston, were held Saturday, May 8, 2010 at Hilltop Baptist Church in Frankston with the Rev. George Folmar and the Rev. Steve Palmer officiating.

Burial followed at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston.

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

Mrs. Hodges passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2010 in Jacksonville.

She was born May 30, 1928 in Brushy Creek to Arthur and Nora Howell. She was raised by Lela Peterson after the death of her mother.

Mrs. Hodges was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church, Frankston, VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Frankston and retired from Walmart as a cashier.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Norman Hodges; daughters, Wanda Hodges and Judy Tornatore; sister, Pauline Getzie; brothers, Edward Howell and Clifford Howell; and sisters, Norma Carter and Lynn Smith.

Survivors include daughters, Donna Thomas of Houston and Norma Nichols and husband Terry of Atascocita, Texas; sister, Elaine Malone of Frankston; brother, Brady Howell of Oklahoma; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Ricky Williams, Larry Williams, Michael Tornatore, Kris Thomas, Justin Nichols and Calvin Howell.

Honorary pallbearer was Terry Nichols.

Guffey Tuttle

A memorial service for Guffey W. Tuttle will be held on Saturday, May 15, at 2 p.m. in the East Texas Oil Museum, located on the Kilgore College campus, Kilgore, Texas.

Guffey and his family were former residents of Frankston.

Mr. Tuttle passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010 at the age of 78.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah, of 55 years and three daughters, Laurie McBride (Tommy) of El Paso, Texas, Julie Camp (Richard) of Houston, Texas, and Valerie Baxter of Colorado Springs, Colorado; five grandchildren, Tate and Wade McBride, Callie and Cara Camp, and Martha Baxter; one sister, Dolores Kilchenstein of Lubbock, Texas.

Guffey and Sarah lived in Paradise Acres, La Veta, Colorado for the last 14 years.

Guffey was a graduate of Kilgore, Texas High School, Kilgore College, and Texas A&M University, class of 1958, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He retired in 2002 after many years as a Petroleum Engineer consultant.

He also served in the U. S. Army Paratroopers and in the Korean conflict where he was awarded a commendation for heroism.

Doris Jackson

Funeral services for Doris Jackson “Pink Lady”, 68, of Flint, were held Friday, May 21, at Autry Funeral Home chapel in Frankston with the Rev. James Farmer and the Rev. Dennis Pridgin officiating.

Burial was held at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville.

Mrs. Jackson passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2010 in Tyler.

She was born May 9, 1942 in Ft. Worth.

Mrs. Jackson was a member of Lake Area Church, Frankston and was a police dispatcher.

Survivors include husband Gene Jackson of Flint; daughter Tresa Todd of Flint; sons Trent Cox of Mineral Wells and Terry Jackson and wife Terri of Grapevine; special friends Dusty Foley of Mineral Wells and Connie Troxall of Whitehouse; brothers Rick Pyron and wife Donna of Odessa and Charles Pyron and wife Peggy of Austin; brother-in-law Wink Jackson and wife Donna of Early; sister-in-law Peggy French of Lawton, Okla.; grandchildren and spouses Tanner and Ashley Todd of Mineola, Justin Todd of Tyler, Kelton Todd of College Station, Miranda Williams of Worthen, Josh Jackson of Hurst, Vanden Cox of Decatur and Tye Cox of Decatur; and three great grandchildren Emma Todd of Tyler, Braedon Todd and Brynlea Todd of Mineola.

Honorary pallbearers were Wink Jackson, Herb Graham, Terry Jackson, Roger Gearhart, Bill Key and Jim Hallman.

Donations may be made to Hospice Homeplace 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, 75701.

David Mewbourn Sr.

Funeral services for David Edward Mewbourn Sr., 75, of Frankston, were to be held Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Autry Funeral Home chapel, Frankston.

Burial was to follow at Frankston City Cemetery.

On May 24, 2010 David Edward Mewbourn Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born on July 27, 1934 to Walter F. Mewbourn and Mary Bates Mewbourn in Ben Wheeler.

He grew up in East Texas attending Ben Wheeler and Van schools. He served in the U. S. Air Force. He has lived the last several years in Frankston, and was the owner of Mewbourn Wrecking Service.

David loved riding his mules and horses and going on trail rides with his friends. He loved old country music and dancing.

He is preceded in death by his father, Walter F. Mewbourn; sister, Janice Golightly; brother W. M. Mewbourn; and nephew, John Paul Mewbourn.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Mewbourn of Frankston; mother, Mary Bates Mewbourn of Van; son, David Mewbourn and wife Melissa of Frankston; son, Carroll Mewbourn and wife Christy of Accroman, Mississippi; daughter, Linda Perry and husband Richard of Elmwood; also Angie and Bobby Lucas, Amy and Chris Martin, Lorie and Bradley Lewis, all of Elysian Fields, and Joan Cook of Chandler; brothers, Louie Mewbourn of Austin and Paul Mewbourn of Van; sisters, Frances Gorham of Van and Joan Cook of Chandler; brother-in-law, Carroll Golightly of Stephenville; 17 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Hospice of East Texas and Dr. Andrews and Dr. Ward.

Eloise Platt

Funeral services for Eloise Platt, 78, of Frankston, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Frankston with the Rev. Ron Ivey and the Rev. Joshua McDonald officiating.

Burial will be held at Frankston City Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston

Mrs. Platt passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010 in Frankston.

She was born December 22, 1931 in Foley, Alabama.

Mrs. Platt was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church, Frankston, was a teacher’s aide for 31 years and was a two time Texas State Bowling Champion.

She is preceded in death by her parents Dewey Floyd and Annie Huffman Floyd; and sister Pauline Jackson.

Survivors include husband of 57 years Don Platt of Frankston; son, James Douglas Platt and wife Donna of Clute; daughters, Ann Allen of Irving, Melanie Stacey and husband Rick of Irving, Pamela Spears and husband Eric of Frankston, Diana Caldwell of Frankston and Valerie McLaughlin and husband Andy of Palestine; twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas Foundation 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, TX. 75701.

Betty Schunemeyer

Betty Ann Schunemeyer, 67, of Frankston, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in Tyler.

She was born January 29, 1943 in Chicago, IL.

Mrs. Schunemeyer was a member of United Methodist Church of Frankston and was a homemaker.

Survivors include husband Norman Schunemeyer of Frankston; sons Paul Schunemeyer of Charleston, SC and Leonard Schunemeyer of East Lyme, CT; sister Mary Tully of Tiskilwa, IL; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Frankston. No services are scheduled at this time.

Kimberly Bachelder

Funeral services for Kimberly Sue Bachelder, 37, of Bradford, will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday May 27, 2010 at Bailey & Foster Chapel Palestine, with the Rev. James Johnson officiating.

Burial will follow in Hopewell Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster Palestine.

Ms. Bachelder passed away Saturday May 22, 2010. She was born October 11, 1972 in Dallas to Merle and Alice Yates Bachelder.

Kimberly loved her career as a veterinary technician at the Lake Palestine Animal Hospital in Frankston, and was known for her love for all animals.

Ms. Bachelder is survived by her loving mother Alice Yates Bachelder of Dallas and loving father Merle Bachelder of Bradford, and her beloved pets.

Pallbearers will be Morgan Clanton, Allen Holcomb, Michael Jones, Todd Costlow and William Yates.

Condolence calls will be received from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday before the service at Bailey & Foster Palestine.

Memorials may be made to the Animal Rescue of Texas, 4447 North Central Expressway, Suite 110, PMB 116, Dallas, Texas 75205.

To view online, leave condolences or sign guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com

Edward Reagan

Funeral services for Edward Reagan, 81, of Jacksonville, were held Tuesday, May 25, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with the Rev. Don Canter officiating.

Burial followed at Reece Community Cemetery.

Mr. Reagan passed away May 23, 2010 in a Tyler hospital.

He was born May 21, 1929, in Reece to the late Eddie and Christine Fonti Reagan. He was a retired supervisor for American Clay in Tyler for 37 years. Edward served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. He was a member of the Frankston Church of Christ and a lifetime resident of the Jacksonville area.

Mr. Reagan was preceded in death by his brother, Pat Reagan, sister-in-law Dorothy Reagan and brother-in-law, Oscar Holcomb.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Peggy Reagan and a son, Eddie Neil Reagan; brother, Johnny Reagan and wife Maureen; sister, Margaret Holcomb; sister, Peggy Pike and husband Gene; sister-in-law, Theta Reagan Pike; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Malcolm Roebuck; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Tim Coats; and a number of nieces and nephews, one being his special pal Ethan White.

Pallbearers were Gene McClosky, Keith White, Ethan White, Patrick Reagan, Eric Coats and Brian Fuqua.

Honorary Pallbearers were Wayne McCullough, Jack Stringer, Gene Hill, Travis Etheridge, Jimmy Terry and James Terry.

Memorials may be made to: National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, New York, 10016, or to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard, Alexandria, Va. 22311.

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