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.)

Ricky Alton Casey

Ricky Alton Casey, 58, was born November 2, 1959 in Tyler, Ricky passed away on November 28, 2017.

Ricky was a 1978 graduate of Whitehouse High School, a member of the United States Air Force, a graduate of TSTI and attended Texas A&M.

Ricky was a homebuilder and an active member of the Tyler Area Builders Association, past president of TABA and served as a life director of the Texas Association of Builders.

Ricky was a member of the William Foster Masonic Lodge #312 and was a past Master.

Ricky was a beloved husband, father, brother, son and friend. Ricky is survived by his wife of 20 years, Beverly Casey of Frankston; son Kyle Casey and wife Desirae of Frankston; daughter Kara Burris and husband Darrel of Ben Wheeler; sons Logan and Evan Casey of Frankston; mother Wilma Loughlin and husband Richard of Henderson; brother Jeff Casey and wife Jana of Tyler; brother Kyle Casey and wife Kristi of Whitehouse; sister Kelli Landreth-Smith and husband Paul of Frankston and 8 nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ricky’s life was held on Saturday, December 2 at his home.

Donations can be made to: R. Casey Scholarship, Texas Prospects Baseball, 322 Chimney Rock #405, Tyler, Texas 75703 or Texas Builders Foundation, www.Texasbuildersfoundation.org in honor of Ricky Casey.

Mary Alice Calloway

A graveside service for Mary Alice Calloway, 85, of Berryville, was held Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville with the Rev. Wayne Livingston officiating. Services were under the direction Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mrs. Calloway passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, in Tyler.

Mary was born June 9, 1932, in Gould, Arkansas, to Claude and Georgia (Guy) Hoyt.

She was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church in Berryville. Mary was an avid baseball and basketball player when she attended school.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leon Calloway; siblings, Van, Jerry, Junior and Basil Hoyt, Katherine Ashcraft and Helen Gasaway; grandchildren, Kristie Calloway and Craig Carter.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Mark Calloway of Berryville, Steve Calloway of Chandler, Beverly Atkinson and husband Pat of Frankston, Norma Morrison of Chandler; siblings, Guy Hoyt and wife Maxine of Star City, Arkansas, and Sue Yarborough of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

  James Thomas McCauley

James Thomas McCauley passed away on Dec. 5, 2017.

He was born April 20, 1938 to Phillip and Martie McCauley.

He was a soldier in the United States Army and served two tours in Germany.

He was married to his wife, Carol Jean McCauley, for nearly 50 years.

An electrician by trade, James started out helping his dad as a young boy and retired after 50 years with the IBEW Local 59 Union in Dallas.

He loved talking on his cell phone to friends and family daily.

He enjoyed being on his tractor, riding around his land on the golf cart, watching the hummingbirds and the “Coffee-Thirty” with the Looney Crew.

McCauley’s love for God was undeniable. Whenever he spoke to someone, he always turned the conversation to the Lord.

His family and his salvation were his greatest blessings in life.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Joe McCauley, Bob McCauley and Pete McCauley.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Jean McCauley; three daughters, Terry McCauley, Michelle Gosson and Sharon McDonald; brother Troy McCauley; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and beloved extended family Toni Looney, Cindy Bachman, Brian Miranda and Brianna Looney.

Merrell Jean Steel

A funeral service for Merrell Jean Steel, 85, of Whitehouse and formerly of Frankston, was held Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

She was laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Steel passed away Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Whitehouse.

Jean was born March 6, 1932, in Frankston to Jack and Ima Gouger.

She graduated from Frankston High School.

Jean loved to crochet and submitted pieces to the East Texas State Fair where she won a Blue Ribbon.

She was a member Red Hat Society and loved to dress up for different occasions. Jean was an active member of the Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Jonnie Ray Wood.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, W.A. Steel and wife Dotte of Lindale, Blake Steel and wife Edwina of Wisconsin, Cynthia Staples of Whitehouse, Linda Green and husband Ronald of Okla., Bobby Steel and wife Penny of Tyler; a brother, Jack Gouger of Clearfield, Utah.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to Hospice Plus, 828 S. Fleishel Ave., Tyler, Texas 75701.

  Morris E. Pickering

Morris E. Pickering was born Feb. 26, 1928, on a farm a few miles north of the little town of Poynor in Henderson, County.

He departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, at 89 years of age.

Morris was preceded in death by his brothers, Rayford Ben Pickering, and Billy Earl Pickering, his grandparents, Lector and Emily Petrey and his parents Hubert and Bessie Pickering.

He is survived by his brother, Travis Pickering and wife Jane of Desoto, Texas, four nieces; Vicki Edwards of Tucson, Arizona, Kerry Pickering and Patti Pickering of Dallas, Texas and Brenda Rollins of Arlington, Texas.

Morris served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Cadmus (AR-14) from Jan. 22, 1946, to Nov. 24, 1947. Upon returning home from military service, Morris began a career that spanned 35-years as a supervisor in the engineering department at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas.

Fidelity to work, family and country were of the utmost importance to Morris. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed reading, taking vacations with his family and spending time at the Tom Landry Center. Morris is dearly loved by his family and friends and will be missed by many.

A graveside service for family of Morris E. Pickering will be held Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at Poynor Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Pastor Connie Freeman officiating. A memorial service for friends and family of Morris will be held at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. with Pastor George Mason officiating.

Donations may be made to: Dickinson Place, Attn: Elderly and Senior Housing 911 St. Joseph Street, Dallas, TX 75246 or Baylor University Medical Center Foundation, Attn: Hope Lodge (Housing for patients and families) 3600 Gaston Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75246.

Richard Charles Kennedy

A graveside service for Richard Charles Kennedy, 83, of Berryville, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville with the Rev. George Folmar officiating.

Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Kennedy passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Tyler.

Richard was born Oct. 7, 1934, in Sandy Ridge, Pennsylvania, to Earl and Anna (Marcella) Kennedy.

Richard (known as Rick by his friends) was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School in Pennsylvania. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a retired electrical engineer for General Electric. He also loved painting and enjoyed fishing. Richard moved to Berryville in 1980 from Houston.

He made many friends and loved the outdoor life. He helped many in his community and has been a true servant. Richard was a father, brother and a Christian who loved the Lord. He was loved and appreciated by many and will truly be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Toby Allen Kennedy; and brothers, Louis and Donald Kennedy.

He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Early and husband Tom of Harrisburg, PA, Lisa Smith and husband Bill of PA, Terry Kennedy of Spring, TX, and Tammy Allison and husband Joe Hughes of Pinehurst, TX; special friend, Lois Honea of Berryville; sisters, Dorothy Smith and Linda Guthrie both of PA; grandchildren Wayne Early, Clayton Early, Christopher Smith, Spencer Smith, Chase Allison, Kyle Allison, and Seth Hughes; great-granddaughter, Aurora Kay Allison.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to Godot Animal Sanctuary at www.godotanimalsanctuary.org or 391 Laughbaum Dr., Punxsutawney, PA 15767.

Billy Dean Jones

A funeral service for Billy Dean Jones, 87, of Houston, was held Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. George Folmar officiating. He was laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Jones passed away Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston.

Billy Dean was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Frankston to Mannie and Alene (Fowler) Jones.

Billy was a helicopter mechanic for Houston Police Department.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia Nowell Jones; sons Vincent Jones, William D. Jones and step-daughter, Diane Carroll.

Left to cherish his memory is his sister, Susie Owens and niece and nephew, Karen Walters and Tom Walters and great niece, Jennifer Walters.

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