Kenneth Nyles Locke

Kenneth Nyles Locke, 90, passed away at his home in Frankston Nov. 1, 2022.

A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Rev. Jimmy Calvert officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Kenneth, known as Nyles by his family, was born to Lenneaus Aubrey (known as L.A. or Shorty) and Katherine (McPeters) Locke in Galveston on Oct. 22, 1932. He was a proud BOI (born on island).

Kenneth grew up in Alta Loma, TX, and surrounding communities. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1950. Following graduation Kenneth attended Alvin Junior College where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Galloway. Kenneth joined the Navy in 1951 and maintained a long-distance courtship with Mary Ann until they married on Dec. 20, 1952. Their daughter, Anita, was born while they were stationed at Naval Air Station Moffett Field in California.

Following his discharge in 1955, the family returned to Texas. While Kenneth was completing his studies at Sam Houston State Teachers’ College, the family welcomed a second daughter, Karen, in 1958. Kenneth accepted a teaching position at Alvin Junior College and the family moved to Alvin, where they welcomed two sons: Kenny, born in 1959, and Johnny, born in 1962

Kenneth had a life-long love of teaching that began with training navigators at Moffett Field and lasted to the end of his life.

He had a servant’s heart. It led him to worship and service as a member of the United Methodist Church where he was active with United Methodist Men. Kenneth was a 29-year member of William Foster Lodge #312. He served as Worshipful Master from 1997-1998 and was DDGM from 2003-2004. In 2011 he was a recipient of The Golden Trowel award. He also was a member of the Board of Directors of the Frankston Depot Library and Museum, Inc.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; sister, Vivian; granddaughter, Courtney; great-granddaughter, Sloan; brother, Sonny; and son, John.

Left to cherish Kenneth’s memory are his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Mary Ann Locke; children, Anita Duesterhoft and husband Ken of Frankston, Karen Wallace and husband Doug of Navasota, Kenny (K.W.) Locke and wife Alisa of Frankston, and daughter-in-law, Terri Locke of Brenham; his sisters, Opal Hill of Ingleside, Betty Clayton of Santa Fe, and Kathy Wilson and husband James of Sweetwater. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Kelly Buford (Bryan), Paul Duesterhoft (Diana), Leah Duesterhoft, Jessica Walters (Chad), Jamie Schubert (Brady), Justen Locke (Rachel), Andrew Wallace (Amber), Julie Krebs (Justin), Amanda Wallace (Leander VanHecke), and Jarrett Locke (Nicole); 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and a large circle of precious friends.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, Palestine Grace United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.

Doris Griffin

A funeral service for Doris Griffin, age 92, is scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Bro. Jason Charles will officiate.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Doris passed away on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Jacksonville. She was born in Kemp on Jan. 20, 1930, to the late Jesse Alton Sr. and Hazel Belva (McMullan) Griffin.

Miss Griffin, a longtime resident of Frankston, babysat many children in the Frankston area. She also worked at Perry’s in Terrell for many years. Doris attended Southwestern Assembly of God College to study Theology, and she was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Frankston.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Sudie Fowler.

Left to cherish her memory are her brother, Rev. J.A. Griffin of Frankston and sister, Belva Glaspy of Frankston; and nieces and nephews, Keith Clakley of Whitehouse, Kevin Clakley of Frankston, Debbie Sexton and husband Larry of Jacksonville, Michael Griffin and wife Tammy of Frankston and Michele Williams of Frankston.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to Faith Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 194, Frankston, TX 75763.

Erwin Dabbs

A funeral service for Erwin Dabbs, age 85, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Visitation will begin one hour prior to services. Dr. Nathan McBride will officiate. He will be laid to rest at a later date after cremation.

Mr. Dabbs passed away on Nov. 8, 2022. Erwin was born on Sept. 20, 1937, in Anderson County.

Erwin attended Frankston public schools and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960 from Stephen F. Austin State University and Master’s degree in Social Work in 1966.

After 33 years with Texas Department of Human Services, Mr. Dabbs retired in 1993. He began as a caseworker in 1961 and retired as a Regional Administrator in the Tyler region. Most of his work was in the Austin area where he worked 24 years in both state headquarters and the Austin region.

Erwin believed in working and doing things right the first time. He was an advocate for education, children, nature, and civil liberties. Erwin was also a member of the Mt. Vernon Methodist Church in Pert. He loved history of any kind.

One of his greatest passions, other than his wife of 63 years, Louise, was classic Chevys. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandbaby.

After retirement, he was an instructor of Sociology and Marriage and Family at Trinity Valley Community College in Palestine for several years. He also did volunteer work as chairperson of The Community Relations Council in Palestine, as a mentor in the Palestine ISD, and as caretaker of the Dabbs Cemetery, south of Frankston.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lillian (Champion) Dabbs; wife, Louise (Russell) Dabbs; and son, Todd R. Dabbs; in-laws, Chester and Ira (Snyder) Russell; brothers-in-law, Jack Hartman, Chuck Moore and C.B. Thigpen; and nephew, Chad Williford.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Julie Dabbs of Frankston, Jill Burnett and husband Billy of Huntington; and son, Jed Dabbs and wife Kathy Brown of Denver, CO. His memory will also be treasured by his grandchildren: Amanda Hyden, Jennifer Godfrey-Thurman and fiancé Justin Thurman, Ashley Hyden, Todd Hyden and wife Victoria, Lacey (Peebler) Cummings and husband Marty, and Trace Barrett and wife Taylin. His great-grandchildren are Brooke Godfrey Thurman and fiancé Drew Lemmert, Mason Tarrant, Cody Dickerson, Ethan Godfrey, Alyssa Thurman, Sarah Thurman, Adali Hyden, Tessa Hyden, and Myles Hyden; and great-great-grandchild, Gentry Sage Lemmert. His siblings are Sue Moore of Lufkin, Janet Dabbs-Neal of Frankton, Cindy Dabbs-Smith of Brownsboro, and Becky Pitner and husband Jim of Lindale. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Gladys Thigpen of Lufkin, Verline Hartman of Lufkin, and Laverne Wesley and husband Bill of Lufkin; and brother-in-law, Nunley Russell and wife Anna May of Lufkin.

As Erwin was an advocate of nature, please consider a donation to Dabbs Cemetery Fund with Austin Bank, 169 S. Frankston Hwy, Frankston, TX 75763, or to plant a tree in Erwin’s memory:                        ( https://www.treesforachange.com/products/custom-grove-of-trees. )

Mary Ann Mcgehee

Mary Ann Mcgehee of Frankston passed away on Nov. 23, 2022. She was born on Sept. 30, 1955.

Mary Ann loved her dogs and horses, all things western and reading. She enjoyed her employment with the Frankston Depot Library. She found working at the Depot Library to be a most rewarding blessing as she considered her coworkers as family and adored them so.

She was preceded in death by her parents Travis and Marguerite Mcgehee, her brother and sister-in-law Tommy and Bell Mcgehee, her brother-in-law John Caveness and nephew Michael Mcgehee.

She is survived by her son Jeffery Rogers; son-in-law Derek Seeger of Eustace; brothers Jerry Mcgehee and wife Earlene of New Waverly, TX., and Troy Mcgehee and wife Jenny of Mt. Vernon, TX; sister Joy Caveness of Jacksonvillle and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the Frankston Depot Library.

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

Marjorie Ann Huntsberger

Marjorie passed peacefully while surrounded by her family in Tyler on Friday Nov. 25, 2022 at the age of 89. She was born in the Brushy Creek Community in Anderson County on May 3, 1933 to Eli Sammons and Lila Elrod Sammons.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 at the Brushy Creek United Methodist Church in Brushy Creek at 2 p.m., with Dr. Matthew Thomas officiating.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents Eli and Lila Sammons, her brother Guinn Sammons and sister Sylvia Furnish both of Palestine.

She is survived by her three children Ava Janicek (Alfred) of Huntsville, Denise Huntsberger and Randy Huntsberger (Colleen) of Tyler; her three grandsons Grant Huntsberger (Kimberly) of Tyler, Jase Perry (Hanna) of Houston and Douglas Huntsberger (Haley) of Tyler; three great-grandchildren Isabella, Aurora and Delkan; her sister Billie Sammons Riley of Frankston; her sister-in-law Pauline Sammons of Palestine; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Special thanks to the Staff of Legacy and the nurses and doctors of the Neuro ICU at Christus Mother Frances Hospital for taking such great care of our mother.

The family requests that donations be made to the Brushy Creek United Methodist Church, the Elmwood Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of your choice.

Bailey and Foster Funeral Home of Palestine is in charge of arrangements.

Janet Lynn Gandy Sandifer

Janet Lynn Gandy Sandifer was born Oct. 20, 1972, to Jack and June Gandy of Jacksonville and went to her heavenly home Nov. 27, 2022. Janet was, above all else, motivated by her love for Christ.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Kerens. Janet was a dedicated and loving wife to Danny and mother to her pride and joy, Sarah Elizabeth Sandifer.

Janet truly enjoyed her role as choir director for the Jacksonville Indian Choir and the Gilmer Buckeye Choir. During her time of service, her choirs enjoyed numerous awards and sweepstakes. It was during this time that she forged many lifelong relationships with students and teachers alike.

Janet was a 1991 graduate of Frankston High School.

Left to treasure her memory are a host of friends and loved ones, including husband Danny Sandifer and daughter Sarah of Kerens; parents, R. Jack and June Gandy of Jacksonville; one brother, Larry Gandy and wife, Karen of Tyler; sister-in-love, Lisa Sandifer of Shreveport, Louisiana; nieces and nephews, Lauren Fletcher and husband Jeff, Will Lustig and wife Jaden, Autumn Bunch and husband Tristan, Riegan Lustig; and a great niece Katie June Fletcher, who all know Janet as “Aunt Nana.”

Of course, the Gandy Girls, Janet and Ginger, have been reunited in the presence of the Master.

A funeral service has been scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. A private committal will be held following the service at Frankston City Cemetery.

Billy Moore

A memorial service for Billy Moore, 35, is scheduled 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Lake Palestine United Methodist Church at Chandler with Sunny Farley officiating.

Billy was born on Nov. 12, 1987, to Chris and Kimberly Moore in Dallas, and entered into eternal life on Nov. 30, 2022.

He was the Captain of the Coffee City Fire Department and served as a correctional officer. Billy enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing by a campfire light, and boating with his friends. He also spent a lot of time riding the roads on his speed bike. Billy was a very social person that never met a stranger and loved the holidays. He was affectionately known as “Silly Billy”.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Billy Moore, Carolyn Moore, Shirley Moore, and Charles and Karen McMellon; and aunts, Carol McMellon and Laura Ann Rager.

Left to cherish Billy’s memory are his parents; sisters, Kristy Bright and husband James of Bedford, and Jennifer Miller and husband Justin of LaRue. He is also survived by his nephew, Raylan Miller; niece, Abigail Bright; uncles, Charlie McMellon and Michael Moore; and aunt, Donna Pruiett. He is survived by his best bud, his dog, Rocko.

Honorary pallbearers are Charlie McMellon, Justin Miller, James Bright, Ryan Anthony, Matthew Cantey, Michal Reavis, Travis Anthony, and Walter Kern.

More information at Autry Funeral Home website

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

Kenneth Nyles Locke

1932-2022

Doris Griffin

1930-2022

Erwin Dabbs

1937-2022

Marjorie Ann Huntsberger

1933-2022

Janet Lynn Gandy Sandifer

1972-2022

Billy Moore

1987-2022