Thomas B. ‘T’ Cook
Thomas Bradford Cook, 74, of Frankston, passed away September 3, 2007.
He was born January 11, 1933.
Forty-seven years serving public education is his professional legacy.
A Christian, Mason and loving family patriarch is his personal story.
Mr. Cook had served the Frankston Independent School District for 40 years before an illness caused him to relinquish his duties. Prior to that he had served seven years as a teacher-coach at Mt. Enterprise ISD after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. He is a 1951 graduate of Frankston High School.
The veteran educator returned to his hometown to become a fulltime social studies teacher in 1967. When the school decided to reinstate a football program which had been discontinued in 1950, Mr. Cook agreed to take over as head coach. He had been a quarterback on one of the last teams to play before the program was discontinued.
In his new job, Coach Cook led the team in a year of junior varsity competition in 1972 and a perfect 10-0 record that year. He then led the Indians on a four-year revival of Frankston football fortunes, culminating in a District 18- A championship, a bi-district win over Blooming Grove, a regional victory over Overton and a trip to the state Class A quarterfinals against powerful Mart.
Coach Cook was honored by being selected an East Texas Coach of the Year for his and the Indian’s accomplishment.
During the four years at the FHS helm, Coach Cook compiled a 26-16-1 record in varsity play before stepping down as head coach at the close of the 1976 season.
During the 1976 season, his team posted a 10-2-1 season record and a 5-0 district mark. The team had 7-3 records for the two prior years.
Coach Cook also served as head baseball coach.
Shortly after his resignation from his head coaching duties, Mr. Cook took over fulltime duties as principal of Frankston Elementary School, a position he held until 1988, when he returned to teaching and assisting with the Frankston football program.
After his years as head football coach, he rarely missed a Frankston football game, at home or away and regularly attended other Frankston sporting events.
In recent years, Cook had been serving as textbook coordinator for the Frankston ISD and helping out in any other ways he could.
He was an “early riser” and it was not uncommon to see him returning from an early errand as others were leaving for work.
Those who knew him best also were well-advised to “call him early” in the evening because, when he could, he went to bed early.
He liked to fish, alone or with friends or family, and he faithfully tended his lawn and his farm.
He had a passion for his role as a public school teacher, administrator and coach and would have begun his 41st year at Frankston ISD had his health allowed, family members said.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Naomi Ruth Cook. Children include Tommy D. Cook and wife Lisa of the Woodlands and Gena L. (Cook) Stoke and husband Aaron of Round Rock. Grandchildren are Jesse L. Cook, Minnie A. (Cook) Baker and husband Matt, and Anissa L. Stoke; great granddaughter Brooklyn R. Baker and sister Juanita Conaway of Frankston. He was preceded in death by brother, Otis “Poncho” R. Cook.
Pallbearers are Austin Thacker, G.V. “Bo” Ousley, Raymond Nichols, Jerry Beard, Mike Cook, Johnny Burks, Jim Smith and Robert Loper.
Honorary pallbearers are Troy House, Larry Weesner, Karla Dennis, Sarah Thacker, Joan Moseley, D.A. “Doodle” Beard, Mickey Kirkpatrick, Sonny Perry, James (Turk) Monday, Les Wells, T.L. Beard and Billy Bacon.
Visitation services are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 5 at the Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.
Funeral services will be at the Frankston First Baptist Church beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 with Olin Boles, Chris White, J.A. Griffin and Darin Wood officiating. Burial will be at the Frankston City Cemetery.
If desired memorials may be made to the Frankston City Cemetery, the church of your choice, or Hospice of East Texas 4111 University, Tyler, TX 75701.
Ferrell Bizzell
Funeral services for Ferrell Bizzell, 88, of San Antonio, formerly of Frankston, were scheduled for Monday, Sept. 3, 2007 at the Church of Christ in Frankston with John Thompson officiating. Burial followed in the Frankston City Cemetery.
Mr. Bizzell died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. He died in a San Antonio nursing home.
He was born Jan. 18, 1919.
He was a retired factory worker from Trane after 22 years of service. And was a member of the Church of Christ. He served in the U.S. Army for two years in the 8th Division with the 1180th Engineer squad and participated in the first liberty party to go ashore at Hiroshima at the end of World War II. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Mr. Bizzell’s passion was working on his land and with his cattle. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Hanna Bizzell and son, Bobby G. Bizzell, his parents, Eugene (Genie) Bizzell, brothers, Eugene Guy Bizzell and Wayne Roland Bizzell and sister, Ada Nadine Bizzell Player.
Survivors include his grandchildren, Laurie Bizzell and husband Glenn Allen Bandy of San Antonio and Amy Bizzell and husband Geoffrey Shetler Stow of Carrollton, Va.; great grandsons, Mitchell Lawson Bandy, William Travis Bandy, Jacob Shelter Stow and Joshua Grayson Bandy; a great granddaughter, Katherine Elizabeth Stow and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers were Dana Bizzell, Jason Bizzell, Ryan Bizzell, Spencer Lackey, Bryan Ramsey, Mitch Bandy, Will Bandy, Hunter Ramsey, Bink Bizzell and Sam Lackey.
Honorary pallbearers were Pete Westbrook, Kenneth Dunklin, Billy Wayne Bizzell, Billy Bacon, John Bandy, Jacob Stow and Caleb Ramsey.
Murlene A. Martin
Services for Murlene A. Martin, 72, of Tyler were held Sept. 1 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tom Pesnell officiating. Burial followed in the Leesbug Cemetery in Leesburg, Texas under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.
Mrs. Martin returned to her heavenly father, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.
She was born Jan. 20, 1935 in Upshur County to the late Clarence and Annie Belle Williams. She grew up in Pittsburg, Texas and attended Union Hill High School where she met the love of her life, the late Buddy Martin.
Buddy and Murlene began their family in Pittsburg then moved to Frankston in 1969. Murlene was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bullard.
She enjoyed spending time and visiting with her friends and family but most of all she loved being a wife and mother.
Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Buddy Martin and her parents.
Murlene is survived by her loving family including her son, Tommy Martin and wife Harriett of Oakwood; daughter, Jan Martin and friend Michael Marcellus of McKinney; grandchildren, Jody, Michael, Billy Martin and Kim Hinton; great-grandchildren, Savannah and Tyler Martin and Abby Hinton; three sisters, Doris Ipsen of Dallas, Wilma Brown and husband George of Heath, and Ruth Rankin and husband Earl of Lubbock; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Britt Bacon, Dude Bacon, Junior Mascorro, Kyle Riley, Daniel Winchcombe and Michael Martin.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler 75701 or First Baptist Church in Bullard, 1428 S. Houston Street, Bullard 75757.
Dorothy Mae Jaynes, 82 years, four months and nine days, of Frankston, went home to the Lord on Sept. 8, 2007, at the Frankston Health Care Center with her family at her side.
Memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15 at the All Nations Fellowship Church in Berryville.
Dorothy was born April 30, 1925 in Clarendon, Texas.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ellis Alfred and Goldie M. Hutto, her husband, the Rev. Melvin Henderson Jaynes and three brothers, Ellis Alfred Hutto, Jr., Billy Floyd Hutto and Frank Alvin Hutto.
Survivors include her son, Carl Wayne Jaynes and wife Joy of Evanston, Wy.; daughter, Angelia Joye Haigh and husband Anthony of Palestine; grandchildren, Sterling Jaynes and Victoria Denson; three brothers, Jerry O. Hutto, Gary D. Hutto, Jimmy D. Hutto, four sisters, Zella Louise Gambill, Margaret Jovida Neal, Wilda Faye Owen and Carolyn Sue Ward; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Dorothy’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciations to the staff at the Frankston Health Care Center and Heart to Heart Hospice Team for the caring compassion care they gave her.
Dorothy’s final resting place will be beside her husband at Liberty Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to America Alzheimer Foundation, Frankston Health Care Center or the Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler.
Riley Nicole Skillern
Funeral services for Riley Nicole Skillern, 7 months, of Frankston were held Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Thompson Funeral Home with Bro. Jack Smith officiating.
Burial was to follow at Frankston City Cemetery.
Miss Skillern died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007 at her home in Frankston.
She was born Feb. 9, 2007 in Kingwood
.
She is survived by her parents, Scott and Nicole Skillern of Frankston; a brother, Mason Skillern of Frankston; a sister, Chandler Skillern of Frankston; godparents Charlie and Trinka Severn of Frankston; great grandmother, Nanny of Liberty; grandparents, Robert and Carol Whetsel of Dayton; Robert and Dee Dee Skillern of Atascocita, Texas; Aunts, Jeanine Chamberlain of Atascocita, Texas, Delise McKean of Conroe, Deborah Braddock of Dayton, Dawna Skillern of Dayton, Brandi Darsey of Channelview, Veronica Skillern of Mont Belvieu, and Linda Coulson of Atascocita; uncles, Dale Skillern of Mont Belvieu, Charles “Bubba” Coulson of Atascocita and Kris Skillern of Kingwood; cousins, Charlotte, Glenda, Deana, Tammy and Tommy of Conroe, Robby and Chelsi of Atascocita, Kurt, Jill and Callie of Mont Belvieu, Joshua, Donny and Nikki of Dayton, Amy and Ryan of Dayton, Cory, Kyle and Trent of Atascocita, Reagan and Payton of Channelview, Dalton and Angela of Frankston, Candice of Mont Belvieu and Marky of Mont Belvieu.
Pallbearers were Charlie Severn, Robby Merkel, Kris Skillern, Dalton Severn and Mason Skillern.
Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Skillern, Robert Whetsel, Dale Skillern and Charles Coulson.
Howard Thomas, Jr.
Graveside services for Howard Thomas, Jr. of Frankston were held Saturday, Sept. 15 at Frankston City Cemetery with Gerald Hall officiating under direction of Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.
Mr. Thomas was born on Aug. 7, 1927 and died on Aug. 18, 2007.
He served in the Navy during World War II and was a retired truck driver for Wal-Mart. He was a Baptist.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Thomas in 1999.
Survivors include his sons and daughter-in-law, James and Gail Thomas of Frankston, and Martin Thomas of Dallas; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Gene Liguori of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother, Lyndol Thomas of Cassville, Mo.; sister, Cynthia Browning of Pearidge, Ark.; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
eral services for Sudie Faye Fowler, 70, of Frankston, were scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007 at the Assembly of God Church in Frankston with the Revs. J.A. Griffin and Mike Griffin officiating. Services were under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home and burial followed in Frankston City Cemetery.
Mrs. Fowler died Sept. 15, 2007 at Briarcliff Health Center in Tyler.
She was born Aug. 16, 1937 in Anderson County. She was a retired nurse’s aid at ETMC in Tyler and was a member of the Assembly of God church.
Mrs. Fowler was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Griffin, Sr. and Hazel McMullen Griffin.
She is survived by her husband, Travis Fowler of Frankston; sons, Keith Clakley and wife Kay of Whitehouse and Kevin Clakley of Tyler; daughter, Debbie Sexton and husband Larry of Jacksonville; brother, Rev. J.A. Griffin and wife, Elaine of Frankston; sisters, Doris Griffin of Frankston and Belva Glaspie of Athens; sister-in-law, Dorothy Williams of Whitehouse; grandchildren, Jamie Qualls of Oxford Ark., Jackie Densford and husband Carl of Pennsylvania, Lindsay Sexton of Jacksonville, Scott Wallace and wife Laurie of Lindale, Stacy Williams and husband Kevin of Tyler, Jamison Clakley, Hannah Clakley and McKenna Clakley of Whitehouse; four great grandchildren, Christopher Densford of Pennsylvania, Allan Densford of Pennsylvania, Caden Wallace of Lindale and Neely Williams of Tyler.
Pallbearers were Terry Bacon, Denny Sanderson, Milton Robison, D.P. Shepherd, Ronny Henderson and R.B. Sexton.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Phillips, Billy Bacon, Leslie Wells and Arnie Clakley.
Belton Derrel Williamson
Services for Belton Derrel (B.D.) Williamson were held Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Restland in Dallas Texas.
Mr. Williamson was born Dec. 1, 1932 to Alfred Frances (Jack) Williamson and Ida Boles Williamson, about one and one half miles northeast of downtown Frankston.
The family also lived south of Frankston in the Hollywood Community and the Sand Flat Community in later years.
He started school in 1939 while living in Sand Flat. His father purchased Grover Northcutt Blacksmith Shop in 1940 and built the shop and house on East Main Street.
This is where Belton grew up, working in the shop.
He graduated from Frankston High School in May of 1950.
Belton attended Henderson County Junior College for one semester, and then joined the United States Marine Corp in February of 1951, receiving his training in California and, later, serving in Korea during the Korean Campaign.
After receiving an honorable discharge, due to his father’s illness, he returned to Frankston and worked in the blacksmith shop while his father was ill.
He attended college, at this time working toward an engineering degree at Tyler Junior College and Henderson County Junior College.
In 1953, he married Carole Dansby.
They had two children, Belton Jr., born in 1954, and Teresa Lynn, born in 1959.
Belton worked in job shops, construction work, and a chemical plant in the area.
He started working on foreign oil and gas projects in 1966, working in 27 different foreign countries and visiting another 30 countries, over 20 years.
During this time, he became known by many as “B.D.”
He started as a pipeline welder and was progressively promoted to supervisor, construction manager, project manager and operations manager.
Belton worked primarily in the Middle East, but also worked in the Far East, West Africa, England, Norway, Egypt and Chile in South America.
B.D. spoke four languages: English, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese.
In 1988, he married Bernice Brehm.
They lived in Frankston, on Lake Palestine for eight years, then, moved to Terrell and later to Hillsboro.
After 1987, he worked as a quality control inspector, chief inspecting senior welding inspector, performing welding inspection on pipelines and stations until 2006.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, in 1931; his father in 1962; his first wife, Carole in 1984; his brother, Billy Jack, in 1994; mother, Ida, in 1996; and son, Belton, Jr., in 1997.
He is survived by his second wife of 19 years, Bernice; daughter, Dr. Teresa Harris and husband, Dan; granddaughter, Lauren Harris; grandson, Mason Harris; stepson, Jack Teel and wife Theresa Teel; step granddaughter Tracey Buchholz and husband Micah; step grandson, Matthew Teel; step daughter, Betty Swain (daughter of Carole Dansby Williamson) and family (Richard Sr., Ben and family, Lynn Merworth and family, Richard Jr. and family); sister-in-law, Carol Williamson and niece, Dr. Deborah Williamson.
M.C. Chancellor
Funeral services for M.C. Chancellor, 68, of Coffee City were held Tuesday, Sept. 18 in Gentry Temple COGI with Supt. R.L. Deberry and the Rev. B.R. Whitehead officiating.
Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in Frankston under direction of Community Funeral Home of Jacksonville.
Mr. Chancellor died Sept. 11, 2007 in Tyler. He was born May 8, 1939 in Athens and attended Henderson County schools.
He was a lifelong resident of Athens, Frankston, and Coffee City. He was a member of Gentry Temple Church and was a retired truck driver.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter and two brothers.
He is survived by two sons, Milton Conrad Chancellor of Tyler and Ronald Webster Chancellor of Tyler; a daughter, LaShay Ann Chancellor of Ben Wheeler; and a brother, Elgie B. Chancellor of Athens.
Pallbearers were William Jefferson, Robert Smith Jr., Robert Hatton, Rodney Hatton, William Davis and Vincent Chancellor.
Honorary pallbearers were his nephews, Harvey Davis, Morris Davis, Carlos Chancellor and Vincent Chancellor.
Lois Elmore Manley
Lois Elmore Manley went home to her loving Savior Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007.
Lois was born to Vonnie and David Elmore in O’Brien, Texas Jan. 30, 1921.
She is preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers and two sisters.
She joined her beloved husband, Preston, who preceded her in death September of 2005.
They enjoyed 62 years of devoted life together.
Lois graduated from ACU in Abilene and then together with Preston graduated from Southwestern Theology Seminary in Fort Worth.
She served faithfully beside him as he pastored and then as Director of Missions.
She was dedicated to serving young pastors and their wives and missionaries.
She was a member of Poynor Baptist Church.
The Lord and Lois’ family were the center of her life.
She is survived by her two committed daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and Rick Knight of Poynor and Beth and Steve Phillips of Tyler.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought great joy to her life.
It can truly be said that Granny and Papaw were involved with every aspect and activity of their lives; even driving hours to attend any event they were participating in.
The grandchildren will miss their Granny, Heather and Conrad Bell of Bullard, Holly and Brian Morse of Coppell, Michal and Brian Phillips of Tyler, Hannah and George Truesdale of Chandler, Melissa Phillips of Shreveport and Wayne Knight of Poynor.
Hugs and kisses will be missed by her great grandchildren, Preston, Ethan, Erin, Jonah, Evan, Payton and Jacob.
She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews and sister-in-laws.
Memorials may be made if you wish to the CF Foundation in memory of Lois for her great-grandson, Evan Bell at 321 Hines Crossing Bullard, Texas 75757.
Graveside services were held for Mrs. Manley on Friday, Sept. 21 at Myrtle Springs Cemetery in LaRue with Mr. Rick Knight officiating.
Services were under direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.
Rosemary Torti
Funeral services for Rosemary Torti, 52, of LaRue were to be held on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Bro. Jeff Godwin officiating.
Burial followed at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.
Mrs. Torti died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 in Tyler.
She was born Nov. 12, 1954 in Denison.
She worked as a self-employed beautician.
Mrs. Torti is survived by her husband, Lonni Torti of LaRue; step-son Chad Torti of LaRue; daughter, Brandi Palmer of Poynor; step-daughter, Shan Torti of Athens; mother Mavourenea Chrisman of Gatesville; brothers Joe Chrisman of Oklahoma, Pat Chrisman of Gatesville and Bill Chrisman of Maypearl, Texas; sister, Gwen Wright of Arkansas; grandchild Jacie Palmer of Poynor; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Johnni Torti, Chad Torti, J.C. Redding, Josh Palmer, Justin Barnes, Bill Wright, Ryan Page and Pat Chrisman.
Last Updated9/28/07 © Copyright 2004-2007, The Frankston Citizen