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.)

Jack Reynolds

Funeral Services for Jack Reynolds of New York, Texas, were held Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, at the New York Baptist Church with Brother Donald Thomas and Brother Jeff Godwin officiating.

Interment followed at New York Cemetery under direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Mr. Reynolds passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 26, in New York, Texas.

Calvin Jack Reynolds was born Nov. 23, 1921, the son of Wesley Middleton Reynolds and Helen Holley Reynolds.

In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army where he became a Corporal and served his country during World War II. Jack was a rancher, a hard worker and a man who was known to never utter a negative word.

Jack didn’t meet a stranger; he loved people and being in the company of those he loved especially his grandkids.

He was a faithful member of New York Baptist Church in New York, Texas. Jack was a loving father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle who will be missed by all he knew and loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife Norma Aliene Godwin Reynolds.

He is survived by two sons, Lanny Ray Reynolds and wife Carolyn, Dewey Reynolds and wife Carolyn both of New York, Texas; one daughter Sherry Douglas and husband Jerry of Poyner; one sister Colleen Flint of Kaufman; one brother Kenneth Reynolds and wife Carol of New York, Texas; eight grandchildren; twenty one great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Nicky Reynolds, Ryan Reynolds, T.J. Reynolds, Seth Douglas, Charles Cooper, Kent Franklin, Bobby Glen Splawn, and John Reynolds.

Honorary Pallbearers were Coy Terrell, Terry Bristow, Don Garrison, Tony Rounsavall, Brent Gallo, and Steve Casillas.

The family would like donations made in his memory to: New York Baptist Church, 6106 Co Rd 4334, Larue, TX 75770, Phone:(903) 852-7937

or the New York Cemetery,  c/o Carolyn Reynolds, 9697 FM 804, LaRue, TX 75770.

A person may also light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com .

Jimmy Earl Donnell

Funeral services for Jimmy Earl Donnell, 64, of Frankston will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Faith Temple House of Deliverance with the Rev. Tony Medford serving as eulogist.

Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Company.

Mr. Donnell died Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in Palestine, Texas.

He was born May 6, 1951, in Anderson County and graduated from Frankston High School and was a lifelong resident.

He was a member of Myrtle Springs Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, J. B. and Dollie Donnell; step-mother Bobbie Donnell, four sisters Fayrene Warren, Darlene Bell, Becky Donnell and Evelyn Carter.

Survivors include two daughters Ebonee Freeman of Houston and Shereke Gaston of AThens; one granddaughter Morgan Gray of Athens; one brother, Danny Donnell of Frankston; six sisters Johnnie Alexander of Tyler, Rena Clark (Melvin), Linda Eldridge and Sherry Hambrick (Albert) all of LaRue, Pamela Ross (Frank) and Beverly Rainey (Lonzo) both of Frankston and special friend Edna Gossett.

Perry Fontenot

Funeral services for Perry Fontenot, 80, of Frankston, were held Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at Autry Funeral Home of Frankston.

He was laid to rest in Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville. The Rev. Daniel Booth officiated.

Mr. Fontenot passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born June 21, 1935, in Ville Platte, LA., to Luke and Eldie Schuff Fontenot.

Mr. Fontenot was a retired machinist. Perry was an avid fisherman and loved the game of golf. He always enjoyed being able to help people in his community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Rose Nadine Fontenot and a step-daughter Jana Hensley.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years Frances Fontenot of Frankston; sons Eric Fontenot and wife Lynda of West Columbia, Brian Fontenot of Pearland; daughters Debbie Clark and husband Lee of Corpus Christi, and Carol Walker of Pearland; brothers Gerald Fontenot and wife, Verna Mae, Glenn Fontenot; sister Verna Lee Guillory and husband Red, all of Ville Platte La. and a sister Joline Tate and husband Bob of Garland. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were his grandsons Rick Fontenot, Stephen Fontenot, Weston Clark, Brent Walker, Jacob Clark, Kyle Clark, Justin Perry and Stephen Nichols.

Joyce Querry

Funeral services for Joyce Querry, 84, of Poynor, were held Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Poynor.

She was laid to rest in Wofford Cemetery. The Rev. Jeff Godwin and the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiated. Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home of Frankston.

Mrs. Querry passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, in Poynor.

She was born July 14, 1931, in Frankston to Wayne and Virgie Scritchfield.

Joyce was a retired U.S. Postal letter carrier, having worked as a carrier in Dickinson, Texas for 15 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Poynor, and was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Union, as well as a lifelong member of the Democratic Party. Joyce loved gospel music.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rayford Querry, and a granddaughter Amanda Grantland.

Survivors include her daughters Gale Bell and husband Sam of Marietta Ga., Ginny Dotson and husband Rodney of Brookeland, Texas; son Mark Querry and wife Maureen of Canyon Lake, Texas; and sister Mickye Bristow of Poynor.

She is also survived by her sisters in-law Kay Querry of Cedar Point, NC and Sonja Querry of Tyler. Her grandchildren include Shannon Bell, Josh Grantland, Adrienne Saph, Libby Querry, Sara Jackowski and Mike Wyatt. There are six great-grandchildren including Kason Grantland, Kari Jackowski, Leia Jackowski, Max Wyatt, Ben Wyatt and Annabelle Saph.

Pallbearers were Keith Bristow, Wayne Bristow, Wade Cooke, Gerald Smith, Bob Walker, and Jerry Douglas.

Honorary pallbearers were Square Walker, Dan Wicker, Bill Douglas and W.L. Bonds.

Joyce Davis

Joyce Davis, longtime Irving resident for over 60 years, previously of Frankston, passed away peacefully at the age of 82 in Irving.

On Feb. 25, 1933, Joyce entered the world and the lives of her parents, James Barney and Mary Ethel (Phillips) Reed in Hughes Springs, Texas.

Joyce worked as a teacher's aide in public education and retired from the Irving Independent School District in 2001 after 24 years of dedicated service. Aside from teaching, Joyce worked as a volunteer at Baylor Medical Center in Irving. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and longtime member of Plymouth Park Baptist Church.

The loss of Joyce and her unconditional love is shared by her sons Mark A. Davis, Dale W. Davis, David R. Davis, all of Irving; her daughter Brenda J. Stevens of Midlothian along with 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A funeral service for Joyce was scheduled at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in Brown's Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Ken Branam officiating. Internment was in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

Wilma Jeanene Owens

Wilma Jeanene Owens was born on Feb. 16, 1936, to Jennings and Thelma Petrey in LaRue where she grew up.

Jeanene went to be with her Lord on Feb. 2, 2016, in Mesquite, Texas.

She was always a very bright person, and although she didn’t yet know it she would meet the love of her life as she received her fifth grade education, Tommy Ray Owens.

She attended high school at LaPoynor and afterward she and Tommy eloped to Palestine to become married.

After marriage, the couple moved to Dallas and ended up in Mesquite.

Raising her two boys, Jeanene held a position in the Mesquite School District, but before long became a homemaker as her boys blossomed into young men.

She was an athletic person, especially in her younger years when she played basketball in high school. The love for the sport never left her as she grew.

Jeanene was a very active member at the church. Her family cannot recall ever missing a Sunday morning service, a Sunday evening service, or a Wednesday evening service unless Jeanene was feeling under the weather.

Her family best describes Jeanene as dedicated to her family. She always took great joy in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family was her source of pride and it truly showed throughout her lifetime.

Jeanene is preceded in death by her parents Jennings Monroe Petrey and Thelma Tiner Petrey and her son Roger Ray Owens.

She is survived by her husband Tommy Ray Owens; sister Paula Evelyn Ferguson; son Jimmy Owens; daughters-in-law Joan Owens and Vicki Owens; her grandchildren Autumn Beashore, Grant Owens, Jennifer Hoefler, Sarah Owens, Zachary Owens, Tara Emerson and Cory Emerson and seven great grandchildren.

A celebration of life took place at the Centerville Church of Christ in Garland, Texas, on the morning of Feb. 6, 2016.

She was buried in Poynor Community Cemetery.

Kenneth Dunklin

Funeral services for Kenneth Dunklin, 81, of Frankston, were held Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Frankston with the Rev. Scott Wylie officiating. He was laid to rest at Poynor Cemetery. Services were under direction of Autry Funeral Home.

Mr. Dunklin passed away Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born May 1, 1934, to H. D. and Lillie Dunklin in Anderson County.

Kenneth coached Little League Baseball and umpired baseball games in Frankston for many years. He played baseball with the Frankston men’s league. He was a member of the Frankston Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the IUE union.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lloyd, Floyd, Arby, Lafayette and Johnnie; and sisters Emma and Hudnall.

Survivors include his wife Lillian Dunklin; son Marvin Dunklin; daughter Debbie Dunklin; special niece Anita Dingler; grandchildren Amber Crawley and husband Brandon, Jonathan Dingler and wife Michelle; great grandchildren Dylan, Natalie, Jay, Morgan, Drew, Josh, Lisa, Haidyn and Braxton Hokit.

Pallbearers were Jonathan Dingler, Brandon Crawley, Dylan Hokit, Josh Hokit, Bryson Bacon and David Dunklin.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Frankston, 408 Garner Street, Frankston, TX 75763 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Beall Orr

Beall Orr, 75, passed away Saturday, Feb. 13, in Tyler while in hospice care, having struggled for years with many and varied life-altering complications of diabetes.

A native Texan, Beall was born in Taylor County at the hospital in Merkel, to parents Burnett Orr and Laura Edith Wallis Orr. The family lived on a farm south of Sweetwater in Nolan County, providing an upbringing that instilled his love of nature and his self-sufficient, pioneering spirit.

Beall rode his horse to school.

He graduated from Divide High School in 1958 in a class of 11 students. The proud Trojan accumulated many athletic awards in baseball, basketball, and six-man football. He was popular among his classmates, who selected him for school honors such as Carnival King, and he was respected by members of the small community, who remembered his heroic effort in delivering life-saving medication to a snow-bound resident when roads were impassable.

Securing a baseball scholarship, he headed south to attend Sul Ross State College in Alpine, where he became smitten by the landscape of the Big Bend area. Enrolled in the agriculture program, through the Department of Range Animal Husbandry he pursued a chemistry-focused course of study, Soil Science, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1962.

Later that year while serving as best man at a friend’s wedding, he was introduced, on Aug. 10, to Lynne Halbert of Frankston, a bridesmaid.

He married her Aug. 10 of the following year in Rosebud, Texas, and they experienced the newly opened Six Flags Over Texas on their honeymoon.

By then Beall had enlisted in the U.S. Army, in which he served from 1963-65. After completing basic training at Ft. Polk in Leesville, La., he was stationed at Ft. Gordon in Augusta, Ga. Next assigned to the 249th Military Police detachment, he guarded American prisoners at the stockade in Ascom City, near Incheon, Korea.

After the Army and a brief time in Dallas, Beall’s job with the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Corporation entailed sales and service of tractors and other farm equipment. Most of this six-year stint was spent serving farmers in the territory surrounding Waco. Beall’s two daughters, Lucinda and Melissa, were born in Waco.

In 1971 he left Waco to become a farmer himself, developing the Halbert acreage adjacent to Lake Palestine in Anderson County.

The family moved to nearby Jacksonville to live in town.

Beall remained a 45-year resident of Jacksonville, where he was on the roll at Central Baptist Church.

In the early ‘70s he participated in the city baseball league sponsored by Jacksonville merchants, when games were played on the diamond next to East Side School.

Through the seasons, Beall’s uniforms ranged from First National Bank to Shorty’s, a bait shop.

In December of 1976 he was hired by Rowan Companies, and he worked offshore for 24 years on rigs in many locations. Mostly commuting to Louisiana to work in the Gulf, he also commuted to Houston to depart for assignments in Nova Scotia, the North Sea, and Gabon, Africa. By the time he retired in 2000, he had put many thousands of miles on his red diesel Chevy pickup.

Beall’s talents and interests encompassed a wide scope. He was athletic and physical, a sports nut who especially loved baseball. Yet he enjoyed cerebral tasks as well, having become a master of the crossword puzzle and a formidable Scrabble opponent.

Though he possessed an advanced vocabulary, he also spoke in colorful West-Texas colloquialisms and figurative language. He was a natural storyteller (with, alas, an endless supply of “rig stories”). Beall was an avid hunter and fisherman, winning shooting contests and bringing back wild game to clean and cook. Yet he loved animals and always had pets—from Racky, his boyhood raccoon; to Beau, his beloved Brittany spaniel birddog; to Meeko, the Siamese cat he leaves behind.

In contrast to the more primitive, he-man pursuits like hunting and camping, he also held an appreciation for cultural endeavors, supporting fine-arts opportunities for his girls. He himself had musical aptitude, with a self-described “whiskey tenor” singing voice and ability to play the violin. Beall is survived by his wife Lynne Halbert Orr; daughter Lucinda Orr of Houston; daughter and son-in-law Melissa and Wayne Arnold of Jacksonville; granddaughters Sarah Edwards and fiancé Michael Moore of Jacksonville, and Allyson Jacobs of Bullard; and great-granddaughters Eisley Edwards and Emily Moore of Jacksonville. Other survivors include his sister and brother-in-law Dana Beth and Jim Norris of Holliday, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

On Saturday, February 20, a memorial service officiated by the Rev. Steve Edwards will take place at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

Visitation with family will occur afterward in the fellowship hall. The family will observe a private burial ceremony that morning at Resthaven Memorial Park in Jacksonville.

Friends and family are invited to share memories at the service and on Legacy.com. Those wishing to remember Beall with a charitable contribution may support the Salvation Army, an organization he respected highly for their practical focus on meeting basic human needs—in time of crisis, they are first on the scene with a hot meal.

Maggie Lee

Maggie Lee died peacefully at home on Feb 22, 2016.

She was born on March 22, 1928, to Walter A. Price and Wavie Whitaker Price in Cynthiana, KY.

She was preceded in death by her husband J.B. Lee, her parents and two brothers.

Her memory will be treasured by her family, son Doug Cord and wife Tammy, daughter Jerry Marable and husband Vincent, another son Bill Bryant and wife Gail and daughter-in-law Lona Bryant, grandchildren Cliff and Logan Johnston, Vincent Marable lll and wife Traci, Todd Marable and wife Carol, Ramsey and Jake Bryant and four great-grandchildren. Maggie also has several nieces and nephews that will miss her.

Services will be held at United Methodist Church of Frankston at 11 a.m. Thursday Feb. 25.

The family request that donations be made in her memory to: United Methodist Church of Frankston Student Scholarship Fund.

Margaret Louise Smith

Margaret Louise Smith was born on Dec. 1, 1941, in Jefferson County, Texas, and departed this life on Feb. 21, 2016, in Paden, Oklahoma, at the age of 74.

Margaret, the daughter of Harry Welby and Annie Mertice (Smith) Gentz, was a longtime resident of Frankston, Texas.

She married Kenneth Wayne Smith on Feb. 10, 1970, in Silsbee, Texas.

They remained married until his death in 2010. Margaret was a member of the Frankston United Methodist Church for many years.

She loved quilting, cooking and bird watching, and found a great deal of pride working as a home health companion.

Margaret’s parents, husband, two brothers, Harry Fred Gentz and James Welby Gentz, and two sisters, Rebecca Elizabeth Bertilio and Iva Marie Jones preceded her in death.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Mark Sheldon and Iris Burris of Horizon, Texas; daughters and son-in-law Sonya Burris of Frankston and Shanna and Curtis Street of LaRue; grandchildren Ellie Burris, Jamie Burris, Justin Street and Serena Street; great grandchild Grayson Street; sister Ruth Bell of Prague and other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at 11 a.m., at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. Interment will follow at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston.

A guest book is available to share your memories on-line.

Please visit www.ParksBrothers.net

Beth Johnston

Beth Johnston, 83, of Tyler, Texas passed away on February 15, 2016, at her home.

A celebration of her life was held at the Palestine Senior Activity Center on Friday, Feb. 19.

Nannie Beth Whitaker Johnston Howard was born in Grapeland, Texas, to George Whitaker and Allean Shaver on October 19, 1932.

She went to high school in Elkhart, and graduated in 1950. She married Marvin E. “Buckshot” Johnston and raised two sons with him, Mike and Gary Johnston.

She was a lifelong artist and though she held several jobs of note; including many years at HL Browns and Associates and ALCOA, she was best known for her art and entrepreneurship. She started her business, Beth’s Originals, in 1976 after the ALCOA plant shut down and forced her to follow her dream of a full-time art career.

She was busy framing pictures, teaching art, teaching crafts and selling the necessary supplies for each of the arts and crafts she taught until she sold her business to her son, Mike, and officially retired in 1999.

She married her husband, John F. “Lynn” Howard, in 2002 during a beach side wedding in Maui, Hawaii, and is survived by him. During her life she was active in many organizations and charities. She was the Charter President of Altrusa Club of Anderson County in 1966. She taught Sunday school to her sons and other youth at Broyles Chapel Baptist Church in Palestine, and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Palestine. She loved to travel and visited many exotic places, both here and abroad, which were often reflected in the paintings she created. Her artistic interests varied from the beaches she visited to the mountains, and everything in between. She painted barns, farms, landscapes and even the scene behind the baptistery at Broyles Chapel Baptist Church, which was used for many years. In fact, both her sons were baptized with the painting behind them. Beth was a generous and compassionate friend to many and will be missed by all who knew her.

Beth is preceded in death by her parents George and Allean Whitaker; sister Selena Earle of Jacksonville; and granddaughter Tiffany Johnston.

She is survived by her husband Lynn Howard; sister Christine Noske and her husband Donald Noske of Huffman, Texas; brother-in-law Neil Earle of Jacksonville; sons Mike and Gary Johnston and their wives April and Deannette; and grandchildren Crystal Forrest, Courtney Young, Casey Johnston, and Mark Freeman. She is also survived by six great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful neighbors, friends and acquaintances.

Memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Palestine, 200 N Church St, Palestine, TX 75801. Condolences may be left in Beth’s online guestbook at http://www.herringtonfuneral.com/obituaries/Beth-Johnston/

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Meals on Wheels of Palestine, Altrusa Club of Anderson County, and Beta Sigma Phi for their support with preparation of the Life Celebration on Friday. “…so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28.

Robert E. Lee Elmore

Funeral services for Robert E. Lee Elmore, 73, of Troup, will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at the Boren-Conner Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville, Texas with Kirk Elmore officiating. Burial will follow at the Mixon Cemetery.

Robert Elmore was born June 25, 1942, in Wichita, KS to Lee and Josephine El more. He grew up in California and moved to Texas in 1978. He was a Baptist and had retired from the maintenance department of Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

He loved fishing and camping. He died at his residence on Saturday, February 20, 2016.

Robert is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rebecca Morris Elmore of Troup; his son Anthony Guthrie of Troup; three daughters and sons-in-law, Natalie and Ronnie Glover of Bullard, Melissa and Brian Hefner of Troup, and Kylean Guthrie Perry and Billy Shoemaker of Houston; a sister Patty Elmore of Arizona and a brother and sister-in-law Leroy and Judy Elmore of Arizona; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren as well as many other relatives.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boren-Conner Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

The family requests that donations be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

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