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.)

Willene Graham Hudman

Willene Graham Hudman, 89, died on June 25, 2018, two days after celebrating her birthday.

Willene was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas on June 23, 1929. The funeral was held at the First Baptist Church of Frankston on Sunday, July 1.

Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery.

The Rev. Scott Wiley officiated.

Willene was preceded in death by her first husband of 45 years, W. A. Graham in 1993.

Together they had six sons and three daughters, in order of birth: James, John, Joseph, Jerry, Marilyn, Melinda, Molly, Jack and Jay.

They raised their children in the Christian faith.

W. A. and Willene began life together building a hardware store on main street, North Little Rock Arkansas with W. A.’s brother and father in 1948.

Later they sold their share of the business and W.A. started a vault company.

After several years, he sold that business and moved his family of six children to Ponchatoula, Louisiana for one year’s stay, before moving again to Spring Branch, Texas outside of Houston.

In November of 1967, Willene and W. A. moved their now seven children to Jasper, Texas, in the small community of Curtis.

There they bought a closed down two-story store/service station and house and began the business anew.

The store grew immediately, and it gave all the children lessons in life in meeting new people, being astute in counting money, fixing flats, changing oil and servicing vehicles and many a laugh and memory of customers.

In 1981, the store business was sold, and the Grahams moved to Nacogdoches where the remaining children could be close to Stephen F. Austin to attend college

Of the nine children, six attended college with five receiving bachelor’s degrees and one going on to receive his Master’s Degree in Business.

Today her children have accomplished many things in life due to the work ethic and self-determination taught to them by Willene and W. A. Graham.

Willene went on to marry again in 1998 to John Hudman of Nacogdoches who was a widower in her church.

She then enjoyed a ranch life of cattle and tractors and fences and fun with John.

They took many trips through the western United States together.

John died in 2007 after a brief illness and Willene then moved to Lake Palestine.

Willene immediately moved her membership to Frankston First Baptist and remained there till her death.

Mom from all your children and your many friends though life.

We will miss you and loved you, but know you are in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time of her death, Willene had 22 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one son, Jack Graham.

Cody Ray Munn

Cody Ray Munn, 38, of Frankston passed away July 8, 2018.

He was born in Tyler, Texas. Cody was a beloved husband to Brandy Munn and a wonderful father to Raylei Munn and Noah Munn.

He was a beloved brother to Shane Munn, Tommy Munn, Nolan Boggs, Ron Brunelle, Noah Muller, Misty Thorn, Kristina Baker, Kasey Boggs and Molly Laza.

He was an adored uncle and had many aunts and cousins.

He is survived by his parents, Cindy Edwards and Timmothy Munn.

He worked for Jim Scott Construction. Jim Scott was a very dear friend to him as was Jim Dwyer and many, many more.

Cody had a way to put a smile on everyone’s face and always made people’s day.

He was a firm believer in God.

You will be missed always,

Our Cody Ray

Darlene Adair Turlington

H. Darlene Adair Turlington, 82, of Brownsboro, was swept up by angels and delivered to her Lord and Savior on June 10, 2018.

Darlene had been a resident at Green Oaks Rehab & Nursing since June 2014 fighting the horrible disease Alzheimer’s stripping her of her precious memories, but not her love of music.

She came alive again if she heard gospel, C&W, and her favorite, Elvis and would sing along remembering the words.

Darlene was born December 12, 1935, to Offa Elizabeth Jackson and Samuel Bailey Adair in Brownsboro.

She married James Robert Turlington in 1953 and had two daughters Beverly Ann Osborne (deceased) and Brenda Kay Turlington Justice of Athens.

She was blessed with four grandsons Michael Shane House (Tyler), James Christopher Tompkins (Alvin), Dustin Lee Tompkins (Alvin) and Jerod Alan Justice (Bryan) One granddaughter Jessica Rae Justice Bass (Athens) eight great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

Darlene was a beautiful woman both inside and out with a vivacious personality never meeting a stranger. To her, unknown people were just friends she had not yet met.

She used her love and compassion for people as she worked in the medical profession most of her adult life.

As a single mother, she raised her two daughters in the East Texas area, mainly in Frankston where she made many lifetime friends that she held dear to her heart to the end.

One of the happiest times for her is when she married Lowell Hutson and helped run his jewelry store in Jacksonville. They designed the crowns for The Tops in Texas Jacksonville Rodeo Queen for several years.

After the passing of Lowell, she moved back to Brownsboro where she lived around family and old friends.

She joined the New Hope United Methodist Church and served as Sec/Treas. for many years. She enjoyed sitting on her porch drinking coffee, working in her yard, and watching the squirrels and raccoons come up and eat the food she left for them.

She loved watching and being involved with all of her grandchildren, whether that be watching them in livestock/sports or school she loved every second. Grandchildren were her main focus, but she cheered on and would help any child in need.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, I.K. Adair, her daughter, Beverly Osborne of Alvin, Husbands, Lowell Hutson and James Robert Turlington.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Justice, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Two sister-in-laws, Cathern Adair of Montegut, La. and Mary Frances Turlington of Crossroads.

A Memorial/Celebration of Life will be held at Hannigan Smith Funeral home in Athens on Friday, July 20,2018, at 6 to 8 p.m.

The family asks for donations in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.

She leaves us rich in memories.

  Sue Wallace

Long-time Frankston resident Sue Wallace, was born April 10,1936, and passed away July 12, 2018.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Wallace.

Left to cherish her memory are their children Tammy and husband David Williams of Tennessee Colony, Dale and Tracy Wallace of Rusk, Darrell and Barbara Wallace of Mixon, Ronnie and Donita Lucas of Rusk, Johnnie and Vicki Lucas of Rusk and Dollie and Joe Brooks of Sacul.

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Joe Brooks, Shaye Lucas, Cole Lucas, Cord Lucas, Justin Wallace, Dylan Beasley, Taylor Woolverton, Kayla Williams and Baylee Williams and 14 great grandchildren.

A service for Ms. Wallace was held July 20 at Hilltop Baptist Church.

Willard R. Baker

Willard R. Baker, 87, long time real estate developer, peacefully entered God’s kingdom on July 2, 2018, after a lengthy journey with Alzheimer’s.

He was born Sept. 10, 1930, in Jacksonville, Texas, to Emma and Roy Baker.

He grew up about a mile outside of Reese.

Baker joined the U.S. Air Force and left active duty with the rank of First Lieutenant in 1958.

He piloted jet fighters for several more years as a member of the Air National Guard. Once, while in the National Guard, Willard flew his jet - at a very low altitude - over his parents’ house in Frankston. He flew so low he had to look up to see Frankston’s water tower.

Unbeknownst to him, an Air Force general was passing through Frankston and had stopped for gas. The general phoned in the call numbers of the plane and the base commander was waiting for Willard when he landed.

With a skill that served him well all of his life, Willard somehow negotiated his way out of that situation without a negative consequence.

Willard went on to obtain a law degree at SMU and developed residences for 16,778 families during his life and developed land in the Dallas Metro area, Houston Rockport, Atlanta, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida and Jacksonville Texas among other places. There were many more acres developed which would eventually hold more apartments, shopping centers, office buildings, hotels and warehouses.

He is survived by Martha, his wife for almost 60 years, their three children, Glynna Baker (husband Bert Obleski), Greg Baker (wife Joy), and Clifton Baker, grandsons Michael and Jaime Obleski, and step-granddaughter Ana White.

A memorial service was held Friday, July 27, at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas at 3 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Dallas Arboretum or the charity of your choice.

Doug Pryor

Doug Pryor passed away so peacefully.

His wife, Darlene, was holding his hand and his beloved granddaughter, Shanna, was on the other side of his bed.

“He just gently let go and I felt all of my heart went with him.” Darlene said. “He opened his eyes and looked right into my eyes and was gone.”

He went home to his heavenly Father and his two children that he loved and missed so much.

He is at peace now.

Doug left this world on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 7 p.m. at his home.

He was 86 years old.

He was born on Dec. 20, 1931, in Fredericksburg, Texas to Delia Sylvia Pryor and Monroe Charles Pryor.

He was preceded in death by his son David Charles Pryor and a daughter Dona Marie Raska as well as his parents.

Left to cherish his memory is Darlene Cobble Pryor, his loving wife of 39 years.

He also has three adopted children -- two boys and a girl.

He also has a sister JoAnn Briggs of Alvarado, Texas, and several grandkids: Shanna Lynn Gonzales, his oldest granddaughter was the sunshine of his life. She promised him she would always be there for him and she was. He loved her so much.

Her two kids Adrian Jay and Emily Nicole also brought much love and happiness into his life.

Doug also had two other granddaughters that live here in Frankston. He loved them very much. They are Emily Marie Pryor and Eryn Macen Pryor. They will always carry on the Pryor name and be proud of who they are.

Doug loved Cindy Wimpee like a daughter. She was always there for him on every occasion.

Doug was a bricklayer for more than 50 years. He was the best there was in his business.

He was very easy going, loved life and was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Frankston.

He was an usher, a door greeter and treasurer of his men’s Bible Sunday School class for many years.

He was proud to serve in his church.

Doug was truly a one-of-a-kind person and will be missed by many people.

A private memorial service will be held Saturday, July 28 at his home.

Doug is gone, but will never be forgotten.

Chester Johnston

Chester Johnston passed away on July 16, 2018, at Hospice of East Texas. He was 87 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia.

He is also survived by son Mike and wife, Judy and granddaughter, Lauren; son Brian Johnston and grandson Matthew and wife, Priscilla, and granddaughter, Brittney and great granddaughter, Ella; daughter Melissa Keeling and husband, Gary, granddaughter Kim Ormsby and husband Drew and great grandchildren, Caroline and William.

Chet served in the Army during the Korean War, Signal Corps.

His wish was to be cremated. There will be no funeral service.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.

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