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.)

Peggy Milner Smith

A funeral service for Peggy Milner Smith, of Poynor, is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Poynor. Bro. Paul Diepenbruck will officiate. She will be laid to rest at Foster Cemetery in Fosterville, Texas. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Visitation will begin on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Poynor.

Peggy passed away on Oct. 4, 2021. She was born in Jacksonville on Aug. 30, 1954 to Raymond and Adelaide (Jackson) Milner. Peggy was a music teacher and choir director.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Stephen Lewis Smith.

Left to cherish Peggy’s memory are her children Wesley Smith and wife Andrea of Tyler; Stephanie Cormier of Huntsville, AL, and Chris Smith and wife Courtney of Flint. Her sisters are Brenda Woodham and Anne Parker and husband Randy, all of Poynor. She is also survived by her grandchildren Alexis Smith, Blythe Smith and wife Hannah, Blake Cormier, Trinity Cormier, Hannah Mason and husband Zach and Aaron Smith and wife Taylor; and great-grandchildren Bentley, Natalia, Gracie, Sophie, Beau and Emory.

Pallbearers will be Zach Mason, Aaron Smith, Jon Dansby, Chris Tobin, Ryan Alsobrook, Kirk Wells, Nathan Grayson and Desmond Hinton.

James Louis Gentry

A funeral service for James Louis Gentry, of Frankston, is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery in Frankston.

Mr. Gentry passed away Oct. 7, 2021. He was born in Haughton, Louisiana on Jan. 7, 1943 to Joseph and Dora (Cook) Gentry.

James was a fence contractor. He enjoyed hunting and fishing but above all else, he loved his family, even if they were not blood.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William Gentry; siblings, Little B, Ester Louise, John Ross, Pauline, Vinson O’Neal, Robert Everett, and Dora Ann “Doty”.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Brenda Gentry; children Phillip Gentry (Kim), George Gentry, Sam Gentry (Amy), Heidi King (Lance), Travis Gentry (Natasha); sister Virginia Ann “Sue” Feazel and twin sister, Julia “Judy” Taylor. He is also survived by his grandchildren Garret, Fallon, Riley (Paige), L.G., Nicole, Tamara, Jennifer, Chance, Cooper, Holden, Tatum, and Austin; great-grandchildren Haley, Gavin, C.J., Olivia, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be David Andrade, Eric Campbell, Mike Shirey, James Rae Sanders, Taylor McKenzie, Diego Mendez, and Dakota Mitchell.

Johnie Malcolm “Robbie” Robison

A funeral service for Johnie Malcolm “Robbie” Robison of Frankston is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at Fincastle Cemetery in LaRue, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m.

Johnie passed away on Oct. 7, 2021. He was born in Frankston on Oct. 29, 1933 to Johnny and Lolis (Lloyd) Robison. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Milton Robison.

Johnie retired from Dow Chemical Company after 30 years of dedicated service as a plant operator. He lived for his family and his beloved wife of 68 years. Johnie loved working on his tractor and raising cattle. He enjoyed gardening and fishing. He and his wife were passionate about traveling in their 5th wheel and enjoyed the companionship of numerous lifelong friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marilyn Sue (Roberts) Robison of Frankston; son, Mike Robison and wife Myra of Chandler; and daughter, Donna Robison of Frankston. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Francis Richardson and husband Jimmy of Frankston; grandchildren Megan Gandy, Jessica Dowell and husband Austin, John Robison and wife Megan; great grandchildren Rowdy and Robby Gandy, Tatum and Jaxon Johnston, Austin Dowell and Parker and Rylie Robison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are John Robison, Josh Gandy, Austin Dowell, Bill Owens, Trey Richardson and Bill Holly.

Autry Funeral Home of Frankston is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Rushing

A funeral service for Mary Rushing of LaRue is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Pastor Terry Mayhall will officiate.

Mary passed away on Oct. 11, 2021. She was born in Levy, Arkansas on Aug. 1, 1930 to the late Rubble and Libby (Snodgrass) Toliver.

Mary was a medical assistant for many years. She enjoyed shopping and playing at the casinos. She was very artistic and left the family with many beautiful pictures. Above all else, she loved her family dearly and traveling anywhere she could go.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Rushing; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Renee Rushing; and sisters, Velma Matthews and Mickey Morris.

Left to cherish Mary’s memory are daughters, Shelia Jerigon of Port Lavaca, Sandra Ducker of LaRue, Shara Gentry and husband Gary of Nevada; and son, Darrell Rushing of LaRue. Mary will forever be remembered by her many grandchildren including Chris Ducker, Nathan Ducker, Steven Rushing, Don Sherman, Tracy Harms and Duane Greene, Brent Boyko and wife Becca, Ashley Jones and husband Lonnie and Whitney Jernigan-Cox and husband Jody; numerous great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren, including Lexi Aldredge and Cali Ducker and several nieces and nephews.

Joe Phillip Dewberry

A memorial service for Joe Phillip Dewberry, 71, of Flint will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at 12 noon at the Family Life Center of The United Methodist Church of Frankston. The Rev. Matt Thomas, pastor, will officiate.

Born Feb. 28.1950 in Athens, Mr. Dewberry passed away on Sept. 28, 2021.

Raised in Athens, but most recently living in Flint, Phil always loved the outdoors and country living. He was an amazingly loving, caring, selfless and patient man, always putting others before himself, striving to follow Jesus’ example in everything he did, and loved by everyone who ever met him. He was a mentor, counselor and a dedicated helper to those in need. Phil was known as the “Energizer Bunny”, always working, repairing, inventing, helping, cooking, grilling, gardening and never seemed to run out of energy.

He taught both his daughters and sons and anyone else who wanted to learn, all about car maintenance, fishing, hunting, and much more, always being available, while setting an example of being accepting, forgiving, respectful, caring, long suffering, never complaining.

His love for everyone was evident, particularly for his grandchildren: Eliana, Roman, Enoch, Kayin and John Phillip.

Phil attended school in Athens, Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, East Texas State University and later in 1991 received his Associate Degree in Science from Trinity Valley Community College. He worked in IT until he retired in August of 2017.

Joe Phillip Dewberry served in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1979.

Phil is survived by his wife of 22 years, Regine Dewberry of Flint; daughter Jarriel, residing in Atlanta Georgia; daughter Levana and her husband Joe, his sons Eliakim and Uriel with Kimberly, all residing in Tyler. He is also survived by sisters Ruthie, Gracie and Joshlon of Dallas; brother Felton and his wife Peggy of Malakoff; nephews Michael, Andre, Binyon, Bryan, Christopher, Zachary, of Dallas; nieces Renee of Portland, Oregon, Elaine, Tracey and Angela of British Columbia.

Phil was preceded in death by his dad Euester Dewberry, his mom Elvie Lee Dewberry, brothers Sylvester and William Scott, and his sister Jacquelyn.

“You will find me at the feet of Jesus”

Hugh French

Devoted husband and father, Hugh French passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2021 in LaRue.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 27, 1930, Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Doris (Hohman) French, and his wife, Mildred D. French.

Following graduation from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Hugh went on to University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University where he graduated with a BSE in 1962, and later graduated from University of Dallas with an MBA in 1977.

Following a 4-year enlistment (1951-1955) in the USAF (S/SGT) he met and married Mildred D. Daniels from Gulfport, MS in 1954. They resided in the Baltimore area and later relocated to Dallas where they raised three children, Hugh III (Chip), Howard, and Alice.

Following his retirement from E-Systems, Inc in Garland in 1992, Hugh and Millie sold their home near Heath, Texas and relocated to Florida in 1993 where they moved aboard a 40-foot power boat and cruised the offshore waters of the southeast U.S., finally returning to shore near Punta Gorda, Florida in 1966.

In 2001 Millie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease which resulted in her passing in 2008. Hugh returned to Texas in 2011 and lived at the Hamptons at Greenridge, a retirement community in Tyler and later relocated to Arabella of Athens to be closer to his children. In February of 2021, he moved in with his daughter and son-in-law in Safari Waters Ranch at Larue to enjoy his last days with the ones he loved.

Since returning to Texas, Hugh served as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, wrote monthly articles for the Hamptons Messenger, and wrote and published a book, “Dreams Can Come True: A Cruising Odyssey”, the account of Hugh’s and Millie’s three-year life living and cruising on their boat, French Quarters.

In addition to his military service, Hugh was a Boy Scout, a member of Sigma Iota Epsilon fraternity, ROTC, Rush Creek Yacht Club, American Legion and a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Tyler. Also he earned his USCG Captains License and was a Registered Professional Engineer.

Hugh is survived by his children: Hugh “Chip” French III and wife Cindy of Palestine, Howard French and wife Julie of Frankston and Alice French and husband Joe Stidham of LaRue; his granddaughter Rachel French and great granddaughter Cameron in Garner, North Carolina; siblings William French in Washington, North Carolina and Louise Saunders in Lodi, California.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated at a later date at St. James Episcopal Church, 9845 McCree Road, Dallas, Texas, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. The favor of your intentions is appreciated. Inurnment will be at Restland Cemetery in Dallas for immediate family only.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York, 10001, or Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, 211 Winchester Dr., Tyler, Texas, 75701-8847.

Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.

Alvin Lee May

Graveside services for Alvin Lee May, 78, of Tyler will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler with Pastor Charles Pyle officiating, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.

Mr. May passed away Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 in Tyler. He was born Oct. 18, 1942 in Athens to Kenneth Alvin May and Pauline Hargrove May.

Alvin was a member of The United Methodist Church of Frankston and Tyler Centurions Organization. He graduated from Trinidad High School in 1960 and attended Henderson County Junior College. He retired with 32 years of service in the utility industry with Oncor Electric (TP&L). After retirement, Alvin worked as a consultant for 17 more years with various companies.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Alvin May and Pauline May. Alvin was also proceeded in death by his brother, Kenneth Wayne May.

He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 57 years, Leona Rosenberg May; sons, Micheal Lee May and his wife Ana, and David Lynn May; grandchildren, Cortney Leigh Simmons and husband Cam and Truett Alvin May, all of Tyler.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Stanfield, Scott Bragg, Truett May, Jay Burnette, David May, and Bryan Forrester. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Blaschke, Percy Airheart, and Charles “Randy” Randle.

Visitation is scheduled from 6 – 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler.

If desired, memorials may be made to The East Texas Food Bank, attn: Development Dept., 3201 Robertson Rd., Tyler, TX 75701 ( www.easttexasfoodbank.org ) or The United Methodist Church of Frankston’s Rainbow House, P. O. Box 355, Frankston, TX 75763 ( www.umcfrankston.org ).

Linda C. Moore

Linda C. Moore of Frankston passed away on Oct. 14, 2021. She was born in Houston on May 27, 1952 to Lyle and Gertrude (Schroeder) Carbaugh.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston. Bro. Doug Howell will officiate. A graveside service at Frankston City Cemetery will immediately follow visitation.

Throughout her childhood, Linda participated in many dance classes and recitals with her sister and brother. She was also a member of several service organizations, including the Girl Scouts and Rainbow Girls. After graduating from Bellaire High School, Linda attended Blinn College in Brenham and was a member of the cheerleading squad. Linda later graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and began her teaching career at Langston Elementary School in Houston.

Linda's life changed forever when she reported for jury duty and met the love of her life, Eddie. After getting married, Eddie and Linda moved to East Texas and eventually settled in Frankston, where Linda was a member of The United Methodist Church of Frankston and taught at Frankston Elementary School for over 20 years. As a teacher, Linda had the joy of educating hundreds of children in the community, served as a cheerleading sponsor, ran the annual book fair for many years, and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Linda retired in 2012 to spend more time traveling with Eddie and friends, going to Jimmy Buffett concerts across the United States and Europe, and loving on the lights of her life – her three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Left to cherish Linda’s memory are her husband, Eddie D. Moore Jr. of Frankston; daughter, Hayley Frink and husband Brian of Tualatin, Oregon; and grandchildren Kaylynn, Ben, and Charlotte Frink. She is also survived by her brother, Larry Carbaugh and wife Karen of Richmond, Texas; sister, Lila Steele of Brenham and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Brian Frink, Cliff Moore Jr., CR Moore III, Gabe Chapman, Kent Smith and Stan Thompson.

Memorial donations may be considered to The Hospice of East Texas, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, or the Dual Credit Scholarship fund at The United Methodist Church of Frankston.

Shirley Sandy

Shirley Sandy, 79, of Berryville, passed away on Oct. 20, 2021. She was born to Alvin and Dorothy (Legget) Janes on May 26, 1942.

She was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church. Shirley enjoyed sewing, reading, and watching Westerns but most of all she loved playing games like 42, Dominos, Yahoo and Pollyana with her family and friends. Shirley had a great love for music that she shared with her children.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; son, Alvin Eugene; son-in-law, Bill Nelson and sister and brother-in-law, Phyliss and Larry Long.

Left to cherish Shirley’s memory are her children, Virginia Haymes and husband Bobby of OK, Connie Nelson of Troup, Julie Odom of Tyler, Jeff Odom of Berryville, and Regina Guthrie and husband Art DeLaPaz of Troup. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth James of Hillsboro; nine grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two nieces.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Bro. George Folmar will officiate. She will be laid to rest at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro.

Visitation will begin on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Tom Smith

A funeral service for Tom Smith, of Bullard, is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. Tim Smith will officiate. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Brushy Creek Cemetery near Frankston.

Tom passed away on Oct. 21, 2021 at his residence. He was born in Houston, Texas on June 11, 1949 to R.E. and Mary Jo (Ellis) Smith. He was employed in the oil industry and retired from Valvoline. Tom was a member of Norwood Heights Baptist Church in Palestine.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Danny Ray Smith, Christopher Smith and Kenneth Smith.

Left to cherish Tom’s memory are his wife, Kelly Smith of Bullard; sons, Eric Smith and wife Jodi of Kansas, T.J. Smith and wife Cathy of Bullard and daughter, Samantha Burk and husband Sam of Center Point. He is also survived by two brothers, Tim Smith and wife Rhonda of Alabama and Steve Smith and wife Darlene of Florida; his grandchildren Jonathan, Cadence, Doc, Logan, Cooper, Brayden, Addisyn, Chelsey and Kasen; and two great-grandchildren Adalyn and Nolen.

Pallbearers will be T. J. Smith, Eric Smith, Dock Smith, Sam Burk, Jon Godfrey and Robert Reed.

William Preston Stringer

A funeral service for William Preston Stringer of Frankston, is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Michael Griffin, Rev. George Folmar and Rev. Jason Charles will officiate. He will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Visitation will begin on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Preston was born on April 20, 1944 and passed away on Oct. 31, 2021. He loved his family very much and singing at his church. He enjoyed being active in church and collecting guns.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline (Fuller) Stringer; son, Preston Wayne Stringer and sister, Nellie Frances Stringer.

Left to cherish Preston’s memory are his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Lou Stringer of Frankston; son, John Stringer and wife Renee of Frankston; and brother, John Wayne Stringer and wife Mary of Arkansas. He is also survived by his grandson Dakota Stringer and wife Skylie of Frankston; and great-grandsons Tucker, Laramie, Maddox and Bellamie.

Pallbearers will be Dakota Stringer, Dillion House, Jamie Stover, Norman Ponder, Brandon Higginbotham, Michael Ponder, Mark Dickson and Shannon Dickson.

Memorials may be made to Faith Fellowship Church in Berryville at P.O. Box 194, Frankston, Texas 75763.

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