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.)

Lewis Hoffman

Graveside services for Lewis Hoffman, 88, of Longview were held at the Frankston City Cemetery on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.

Lewis went to be with the Lord in the afternoon of October 30, 2016.

Lewis was born in Frankston on March 21, 1928, to parents Homer and Sallie Hoffman.

Following High School, Lewis joined and served this country faithfully in the Air Force.

Following his time in the Air Force, Lewis went to work as a freight manager for East Texas Motor Freight, then ABF Freight lines. He retired from the freight business in 1993. In previous years, Mr. Hoffman enjoyed golfing with a number of friends.

Lewis was preceded in death by his first wife, Lola Hoffman; his second wife, Fay Baird; his daughter, Sallie Michelle Hoffman; his parents Homer and Sallie Hoffman; and his siblings, Billy Hoffman, Avalene Worlow, Verba Holley, Bob Hoffman and Margie Smith.

Those left to cherish their memories of Lewis include his daughter Maryann Flewharty and husband Philip; granddaughter, Casey Flewharty; granddaughter Gabriela Groves and grandson Aaron Groves; brother Gaylon Hoffman and wife Peggy; sisters-in-law Dorothy Hoffman and Gwen Hoffman; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Sam Donaldson

Graveside services for Sam Rayburn Donaldson were held Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas with the Rev. Michael Cooper officiating.

Sam was born on Jan. 9, 1933, in Wolfe City, Texas, to parents Madison A. and Lillian Lourine (Ingram) Donaldson and entered into eternal rest on Oct. 17, 2016, at the age of 83.

Sam graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1951. He joined the Navy and became a Sea Bee during the Korean era. For many years he drove a truck for Safeway Food Stores. Sam enjoyed being outdoors; sitting on the front porch watching the squirrels and birds. He loved doing genealogy. Sam was a member of Grace Community Church. He was a loving and caring man who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, son David Wayne Donaldson, granddaughter Jennifer Tillett and brother Stanley Donaldson.

He is survived by his loving wife Kathryn of Eustace; daughter Linda Smith and husband James of Lubbock; daughter Tammy Tillett and husband Jimmy of Scurry, daughter Debra Monte and husband Mark of Sachse, 5 grandchildren, brother William David Donaldson and wife Nancy of Scurry, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, other loving family members and many more friends.

A personal tribute may be made online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com

Lance Allen Shelton

A memorial service for Lance Allen Shelton, 57, of Buffalo, was held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5073 in Frankston with Bro. Alan Grisham officiating.

Mr. Shelton passed away Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, in Palestine.

Lance was born July 26, 1959, in Miami, Florida, to Floyd and Phyllis Shelton.

Lance retired from the Navy where he was a mechanic on aircraft carriers. He served as a quarter master at the VFW Post 3907 in Palestine. Lance enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. He loved to cook, BBQ and grill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lucky Shelton and a sister, Connie Perez.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Misti Harrison Shelton of Buffalo; brother, Robert Shelton and Karen Greer of Houston; sister, Della Baccigalopi and husband Skeeter of Houston.

He is also survived by father and mother -in-law, Frank and Sharyn Harrison of Frankston; and several nieces, nephews and great nephews.

Marshall Ellis

Funeral services are for Marshall G. Ellis, 89, of the Hollywood Community, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. George Folmar and the Rev. Scott Wiley officiating.

Mr. Ellis passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016.

He was born April 30, 1927, to Oscar and Maggie (Dabbs) Ellis.

He attended Hollywood schools, Neches schools and graduated from Frankston High School in 1945.

After his senior year, he received the highest award given by the Future Farmers of America. The American Farmer degree was presented to him in Kansas City, MO. He married Johnnie Lou Coker, (the love of his life) and they moved down the road from his parent’s home. He started working in agriculture measuring crops for the USDA and helped survey land for Humble Oil Co.

After a few years, he went to work as a soil technician for the USDA. He would advise farmers and ranchers concerning building lakes and ponds and general agriculture problems.

He developed the Ellis Loop which was a siphon used to drain ponds when needed. He worked 32 years with the USDA before he retired. During this time he also served as a board member for Frankston ISD and a member of Frankston Masonic Lodge for 50 years.

He served as a member and president of the Trinity-Neches Soil and Water Conservation District for 14 years. He enjoyed taking care of the family ranch and traveling with Johnnie Lou and friends.

Mr. Ellis was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dr. Grady Ellis, DVM; and son-in-law, John Sheehan.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 71 years, Johnnie Lou (Coker) Ellis; a son, Joe Ellis and wife Linda; daughter, Jennie Sheehan all of the Hollywood Community; daughter-in-law Sandra Ellis of Jacksonville; grandchildren, John Ellis, Jennifer Sheehan, Taryn Evans, Alicia Eubanks, and Alicia K. Diaz; and nine great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be David Coker, Robert Caveness, Mark Bostick, Elmer Jean Birdwell, Dan Lade, and Johnny Burks.

Visitation will begin on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 with family receiving friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Floyd Howell

A funeral service for Floyd M. Howell, 71, of San Antonio formerly of Arlington, was held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. He was laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Floyd passed away Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in San Antonio.

He excelled as a Master Plumber. He was a jokester loved by all and there were no strangers just friends he hadn’t met yet. He was a true Texan, devoted Texas Longhorns fan and a proud Democrat.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Howell; sisters Joann and Sharon; and brother Roy.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 50 years, Diana Howell; daughters, Tonia Newman and Edith-Dawn Coon and son-in-law Shane Newman. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Michael Newman, Cinthia Seay, Christopher Coon; six great-grandchildren, Carlie Gesford, Cylie Seay, Damien “Luke” Newman, Ryann Alexander, Madison Newman, Mark Seay II; and three brothers, Jimmy, Wilburn and Grady Howell.

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