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.)

Kathryn Huffman Graham

Kathryn Huffman Graham passed away peacefully in the home of her daughter, Emily Fontenot, in Frankston on Sunday, May 7.

She was 72.

She was born Dec. 31, 1944, in Luling, Texas, to Clyde and Dorothy Lane Huffman and grew up an only child in Gander Slough.

After graduating high school, she attended Southwest Texas University as a nursing student.

Graham was a bookkeeper throughout most of her working career.

Kathryn was an accomplished painter and artist. She also loved to shop, garden, watch the birds feed and loved to help people. For a number of years she wrote the column Kathryn and Other Calamaties for The Frankston Citizen.

Kathryn moved all over the state during her life and also lived in Colorado. She made lasting friendships in each of the places she lived and remained close friends with people from her childhood throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband J. Tom Graham and grandson Scott Mullins.

She is survived by her daughters, Emily Fontenot and husband Bob of Frankston, and Amy Burks and husband Gene of Weatherford; step-son Jay Graham and wife Toska of Frankston; grandchildren Bailey Burks, Hannah Burks, Julia Burks and Jeff Graham and great grandchildren Emma Mullins and Cameron Mullins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, at the home of Bob and Emily Fontenot, 578 AN County Road 311. The open-house event will be held all day with a eulogy at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be sent to Heart to Heart Hospice in Tyler at 7925 S. Broadway Avenue, Suite 1140, Tyler, Texas 75703-5227.

Lois H. LaRoe

Services for Lois H. LaRoe age 99, of Palestine were held Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Brushy Creek United Methodist Church with the Rev. Roland Alsobrook and the Rev. Craig Harris officiating. Burial followed in Mound Prairie Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey & Foster.

Mrs. LaRoe passed away Thursday, May 4, 2017, at her residence. She was born December 13, 1917, in Spring, Texas, to Jesse Fulton and Mary Elizabeth Brett Herren, one of nine children.

She graduated from Conroe High School and attended Sam Houston Teachers College. She married Dan Miller LaRoe, Sr. on April 22, 1943, during WWII.

After living in East Texas and Dallas for many years, they retired to the family “Century Farm” in Brushy Creek. She loved to entertain family and friends at their home. She was a long time member of Brushy Creek United Methodist Church. Mrs. LaRoe was active in the Harvey Woman’s Club, the Dogwood Garden Club, and the Guion Music Club. She was instrumental in bringing the Piatigorsky Foundation classical music free concerts to the Palestine and Brushy Creek area.

Mrs. LaRoe was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 43 years, Dan Miller LaRoe, Sr., sisters Jewel Varnes, Carrie Tomlinson, Jesse Ruth Tomlinson, Gertrude Whitmarsh, brother J.F. Herren, and grandson, Alex Lacy. She is survived by three children Mary Lois Lacy and Alex of Farmington, AR., Dan M. LaRoe, Jr. and Carolyn of Brushy Creek, TX. and Clara LaRoe Edwards and Billy Joe of Brushy Creek, TX.; nine grandchildren who will serve as pallbearers; eleven great grandchildren; and two sisters, Lorene Osborn and Stella Moore of Houston.

Memorials may be made to Piatigorsky Foundation of New York “Lois LaRoe Concert Fund”, 14 Penn Plaza, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10122 or to Brushy Creek United Methodist Church or a charity of donor’s choice.

To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com

Major Frances Followwill

Major Frances Followwill, 89, passed away in his home on May 8, 2017.

Major is survived by his five daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria and Jerry Johnson, Karon and Michael Bedell, Sandraand Chris St. Clair, Donna and Danny Kern, and Samantha and Bill Reynolds, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, three step-children and many step-grandchildren, loving nieces, nephews and extended family.

Major was preceded in death by his wife Margaret of 44 years, his wife Eleanor of 20 years, nine siblings, one grandchild and one great grandchild, and several extended family members.

Major was born on April 25, 1928, in Norman, Okla. to Oscar and Ruth Followwill and had 11 brothers and sisters.

He was a World War II veteran faithfully serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He became an ordained minister in 1955 and continued as a fulltime pastor for 17 years.

After years of restoring furniture as a hobby, he opened Major’s Furniture Shop in Arlington, Texas in 1967.

His careful attention to detail often led to a waiting list varying from 6 to 18 months. After moving to Van Alstyne Texas in 2009, he continued to work in his furniture shop until age 87 breathing life into old antiques and creating his signature crosses for charity.

Major will be laid to rest in Frankston, Texas, beside his wife Margaret on Friday May 12 at 1 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at the First United Methodist Church in Van Alstyne the following Monday, May 15 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Scott Holcomb-McLain officiating.

As Major’s life mantra was “Give flowers to the living,” his daughters request that in lieu of sending arrangements to his service, flowers be sent instead to someone who has shown a kindness to others.

Edgar I. Scudder

A funeral service for Edgar I. Scudder, 84, of Frankston, is scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2017, at United Methodist Church of Frankston with the Rev. Mike Fraley officiating.

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

Mr. Scudder passed away Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Tyler

Edgar was born January 25, 1933, in Patriot, Indiana, to Daniel and Cora Mae Scudder. He graduated from Pendleton High School in 1951.

He joined the Air Force and served in the Korean War. In 1960, he graduated from Purdue University with a degree in electrical engineering. He married Jane Worley in 1961.

He was an avid pilot, flight instructor and was member of the Masonic Lodge No. 312, Frankston.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jessie Scudder.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Jane Scudder of Frankston; children, Brian Scudder and wife Beth of McKinney, Suzanne Campling of Wylie, Craig Scudder and wife Suzanne of Aubrey, Amy Bowers and husband Bruce of Decatur. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jarod Browder, Kelsi Campling, Garrett Scudder, Rylie Scudder, Katie Scudder and Danny Scudder.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701 or Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219.

Kara Lynne Walker

Kara Lynne Walker, 50, of Frankston passed away in the evening hours of May 8, 2017, as she was sleeping.

Kara was born on March 24, 1967, in Jacksonville, Texas. She was a lifetime area resident of Frankston. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her father and mother, Doyle and Patricia Walker of Frankston; one sister, Kimberly Walker of Frankston; one brother, Doyle Walker Jr. of Frankston; one son, Joshua Berryhill of Frankston; one daughter, Christa Berryhill Knowles and son-in-law William Knowles of Frankston; three beautiful granddaughters, Michelle Berryhill, Adalyn Berryhill and Amber Knowles; one nephew, Jonathon Thrush; one niece, Kayla Keene; an aunt and uncle and several cousins.

Kara was loved and will be greatly missed.

A private memorial will be held for her on May 20, 2017.

Bill Aron Duncan

On May 1, 2017, heaven gained another precious angel, Bill Aron Duncan, 44.

Aron died peacefully at home after a valiant fight with ALS.

He fought with valor and honor as only a US Marine would, and with grace and humility as we all wish we could.

Aron was born Aug. 10, 1972, in Taylor, Texas.

Aron was a graduate of LSU with a BS in finance, and was a financial advisor and Microsoft engineer.

He gave 5 years of his life for his country with the USMC.

Aron leaves behind his beautiful wife of 22 years of marriage, the love of his life, Elizabeth Sissy Quebedeaux Duncan, his precious daughters, Sadie Marie, and Lauren Alexis Duncan. He also leaves his parents Lyle Webster and Cathy Jo Duncan, who stayed by his side and helped care for their beloved son as only loving parents can do, and one brother L. Shane Duncan, wife Terry and children, Logan and Jordan.Visiting hours will be at Resthaven Funeral Home on Sunday, May 7, from 5-7 pm, and Monday, May 8, at St. George Catholic Church from 9-10 am.

A memorial service was held May 8, followed by burial at St. George mausoleum with the USMC military funeral honors.

Pallbearers were L. Shane Duncan, John I. Quebedeaux, Jr., Timothy J. Quebedeaux, and Patrick P. Quebedeaux, and honorary pallbearer, his lifelong friend, Billy Pederzani.

Donations can be made to the ALS LA/MS Chapter, 11725 Ste.3, Industriplex, B.R., LA 70809.Aron’s family wishes to extend our deepest graditude to Bridgeway Hospice of Baton Rouge, LA/MS ALS support chapter, Lewy’s Physical Therapy, Dr. Kurtz-Burke and her ALS team at the SELA Vet Health Care Systems, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America NO VA Regional Office.

Dorothy Ann Morton

Dorothy Ann Morton died Sunday, May 21, 2017, after a short illness.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Robert and Dorothy Vivian Duffy.

She is survived by her husband, Clarence “Tex” Morton; her children, Cindy and husband James Owens of Berryville, Clay Morton of Poynor, Shelley Vaughn and Jim Baldwin of Berryville and Christy Morton-Stepp of Berryville.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Mike Nally, Matt Nally, Chris Morton, Josh Vaughn, Chelsey Vinzant, Ty Morton, and Cameron Stepp.

She also had 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

After many years of following her husband to numerous army posts, they settled in Frankston, Texas in 1984.

They bought the H&R Block office in Athens.

They sold it and then opened another H&R Block in Coffee City.

After several years, they sold this business and in 2007 she bought Frankston Tax Service in Frankston.

Dorothy Ann was an enrolled agent for the IRS.

Dorothy Ann loved life and lived it the fullest.

She never met a stranger, and her home was always open to all.

She loved life and the most important thing to her was her family.

She was a huge supporter to all activities her grandchildren were involved in and was a regular attendee to ballgames, band concerts, and livestock shows.

We may have lost the heart of our family but she raised us all to be a strong, loving and a giving family and we will continue her legacy as she taught us.

Visitation was set to be at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May. 25, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Frankston officiated by Father Christopher Ruggles and Father Jonathon Frels.

Burial will be at Garden Oaks Memorial Cemetery in Berryville.

Billy Bull

Billy Bull of Frankston died May 16, 2017, at the age of 67.

Bull was a longtime fire fighter who served as the chief of the Coffee City Volunteer Fire Department for more than 15 years and was also the Frankston Volunteer Fire Department Fire Marshal for a number of years.

He was born June 27, 1949.

Prior to moving to the Coffee City area in 1987, he was a Dallas fire fighter.

Bull had Native American heritage including ancestors who were Cherokee and Chickasaw.

Bull is survived by his sons Cody Bull and Willie Bull.

He was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Bull.

Services were held at the First Baptist Church of Frankston on Friday, May 19.

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