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.)

Vilois Reed Dickerson

Funeral services for Vilois Reed Dickerson, 69, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Louie Barron and Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Burial was in Frankston City Cemetery under direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mrs. Dickerson died Monday, July 29, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Sept. 30, 1932 in Morris County.

Mrs. Dickerson was a retired nurse’s aide at Frankston Health Care Center. She was a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Patricia Lynn Dickerson; two sisters, Elizabeth Costlow and Fay Warrington; and one brother, Barney Ray Reed.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Jack Dickerson of Jacksonville; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven Dewayne and Melissa Dickerson of Lindale; daughters, Sandra Jean Dickerson, Jan Dickerson and Mary Catherine Dickerson, all of Frankston, and Donna Carol Dickerson of Chandler; sisters, Pauline Reed Dunklin of Chandler and Joyce Davis of Irving; 10 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret Myers Elsberry

Funeral services for Margaret Myers Elsberry of Frankston were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the HillTop Baptist Church with Rev. George Folmar officiating.

Burial was in Wofford Cemetery near Frankston under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.

Mrs. Elsberry died Tuesday, July 30, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Dec. 19, 1908 in Williamson County, Tennessee. Mrs. Elsberry was a piano teacher and a Baptist.

Survivors include a step-son, Floyd Myers of Webster; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Troy Durrett, Charlie Cain, Bob Jennings, Jerry Evrege, Robert Fabian and Durwood Burris.

Honorary pallbearers were Ed Landry, Hank Schtasky, Oscar Bruney, Earl Chapman, Roy Wright, Everett Waldrum, Jack McClung, Jim Dickerson, Howard James, Charley Bettege, Brise Harrington, Lee Roy Cox and Raymon Byrd.

Memorials may be made to the building fund at HillTop Baptist Church, 11269 CR 4117, Frankston, TX 75763.

George Frazier

Graveside services for George Ethan Frazier, 76, of Brierwood Bay, Frankston, were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Texarkana, with Brother Bill Goble officiating under direction of Chandler Memorial Funeral Home, Chandler.

Mr. Frazier died Thursday, July 25, in Tyler.

He was born May 24, 1926, in Texarkana to the late George and Lottie Frazier.

Mr. Frazier lived 20 years in the Frankston area and was retired from the Red River Arsenal as office manager. He was a member of Tyler Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Margie Frazier of Brierwood Bay; sons, George Ronald Frazier of Tyler and Ernest Lynn Frazier; a daughter, Sherie Diane Frazier of Frankston; brothers, Lloyd Frazier of Port Arthur, and Ernie Frazier of Houston; a sister, Bell Zube of Shreveport, LA, and three grandchildren.

Glen Dale James

Memorial services for Glen Dale James, 74, of Frankston were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at Thompson Funeral Home chapel in Frankston with the Rev. G.C. Folmar officiating.

Mr. James died Wednesday, July 24, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born March 22, 1928 in Hammon Okla., to the late G.C. and Nellie James and moved to Frankston in 1998.

Mr. James was retired owner of Oilfield Service Co. in Aransas Pass and was a Baptist.

He served in the Army as Specialist Third Class.

He was preceded in death by his parents, G.C. and Nellie James, and sons, Glen Calvin James and Curtis Ashley James.

Survivors include his wife, Norma H. James of Frankston; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tom Richardson, Fort Worth; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Jean James of Tyler, and George and Voncile James of Lamesa; sisters and brother-in-law, Naomi Dooling of Liberty, N.C., Nella Jo and Maurice LaRocque of Sioux City, Iowa, and Dotti Drollinger of Mt. Clemens, MI; three grandsons, Thomas Richardson, Robert Richardson and James Richardson, all of Fort Worth; two step-grandsons, Vic Malone and wife, Jeanie, of Frankston, and Mark Malone of Austin; and three step great-grandsons.

Lillian Barnett

LARUE — Graveside services for Lillian Barnett, 76, of LaRue, were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at LaRue Cemetery with Steve Handley officiating under direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Mrs. Barnett died Thursday, Aug. 1, in an Athens hospital.

She was born Oct. 2, 1926 in Fincastle, Henderson County, to Lorenzo Dow and Mamie Fortenberry Costlow.

Mrs. Barnett was a resident of Henderson County most of her life. She owned and operated Lillian Barnett Realtor Co. in LaRue and was a member of LaPoynor Church of Christ.

Survivors include sons, Alva Lee Mann, Frankston, Michael Mann, New Braunfels, Randy Mann, Austin, Steve Mann, Albuquerque, N.M., and Kyle Barnett, Poynor; stepmother, Mable Costlow, Chandler; sisters, Kozette Phillips, Frankston, Vaunda Ballow, LaRue, and Nelda Parks, Chandler; brothers, Phillip Costlow, Lafayette, La., Gaylon Costlow, Chandler, and Gary Costlow, Brownsboro; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

If desired, memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

Willie Bristow

MABANK — Graveside services for Willie J. Bristow, 88, of Mabank, formerly of Frankston, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Wofford Cemetery, near Frankston with the Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating under direction of Boren-Conner Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mrs. Bristow died Sunday, July 28, in Kemp.

She was born Jan. 31, 1914 in Athens, and lived most of her life in the Frankston area.

Mrs. Bristow was a housewife and member of Church of God.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Bristow.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Christie of Ratliff City, Okla.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Keith Christie, Rufus Christie, John Christie, Richard Christie, Kenneth Wright and Lewis Wright.

Mary Ann Vermillion

Funeral services for Mary Ann Vermillion, 70, of Clute were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Wesley First United Methodist Church in Clute with Rev. Nona Duree Taylor officiating. Services were under direction of Lakewood Funeral Chapel.

Graveside services were at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Frankston City Cemetery with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Mrs. Vermillion died Saturday, Aug. 3.

She was born Oct. 26, 1931 in Mexia to Harry Ely and Mary Rebecca Campbell.  

She lived in Clute since 1951 and taught first grade at T. W. Ogg School until her retirement in 1990.

Mrs. Vermillion was a member of Wesley First United Methodist Church of Clute and was involved with Bible study and other activities with First United Methodist Church of Freeport.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jesse Vermillion of Clute; three children, Susanne Carter and husband, Rick, of Houston, Curtis Vermillion and wife, Vickie, of New Caney, and Jacque Matula and husband, Steve, of Lake Jackson; and seven grandchildren, Jeb Carter, Seth Carter, Melissa Vermillion, Chase Vermillion, Drew VanCleave, Michael Matula, and Hunter Matula.

The family requests donations be made in Mrs. Vermillion’s name to T.W. Ogg Library.

Ida Mae Cofer

MOORE STATION — Funeral services for Ida Mae Cofer, 83, of the Moore Station community near Brownsboro, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Union Station AME Church with the Rev. T.J. Miles officiating.

Burial was in Bethel Cemetery under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co., Tyler.

Mrs. Cofer died Thursday, Aug. 8, in a Chandler nursing home.

She was born Aug. 18, 1919 in Moore Station community to the late Willie Sr. and Willie Bell Cofer, and was a lifelong resident. Mrs. Cofer attended Central High School, was a homemaker and member of Union Station AME Church.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Tom Cofer; and a sister, Vada Allen.

Pallbearers were deacons of Union Station AME Church.

Honorary pallbearers were Homer Cofer, Henry Cofer, Willie Fred Allen and Willie Johnson.

Lynda Reisenleiter

SEABROOK — Memorial services for Lynda Ann Levassar Reisenleiter of Seabrook, daughter of a Frankston resident, were held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church under direction of Crowder Funeral Home, Webster.

Mrs. Reisenleiter died Saturday, Aug. 10, in Seabrook.

Survivors include a son, Eric Anthony Burr of Seattle, Wash.; a daughter, Kristen Camille Burr of St. Louis, Mo.; and her mother, Annie Bell Levassar of Frankston; and one grandson.

Paul Shook Jr.

Graveside services for Paul J. Shook Jr., 81, of Frankston were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie with the Rev. Bobby Herrell officiating, under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Shook died Saturday, Aug. 10, in Tyler.

He was born March 24, 1921, in Barberton, Ohio. He served in the Air Force for 25 years.

Mr. Shook was preceded in death by a son, Paul W. Shook.

Survivors include his son, Alvin Shook, Colleyville; step-sons, Robert Stenseth, Mesquite, and Mark Stenseth, Virginia; a brother, Robert Shook, Riverview, Fla.; a sister, Donna Kaser, Barberton, Ohio; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Bonnie Smith

Services for Bonnie Smith, 63, of Frankston, were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Burial was at the Wofford Cemetery in Frankston.

Mrs. Smith died Monday, Aug. 12 at her residence.

She was born Sept. 22, 1938. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include a son, David Williams of Seagoville; daughters, Donna Reynolds, Palestine; Linda Stanley, Seagoville; Betty Locklin, Seagoville; Deborah Christy, Frankston; Janet Farmer, Seagoville and Nelda Meeks, Seagoville; 19 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Kevin Locklin, Ray Everett Farmer, Michael Locklin, Ray Farmer, Brian Stanley, David Williams, Stephen Williams, Christopher Williams and Todd Williams.

Dennis Mark Skarda

A funeral mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palestine at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, for Dennis M. Skarda, 67, of Frankston.

Interment was at Hopewell Cemetery, Stoneburg at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 with Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Skarda, formerly of LaPorte, died Wednesday, Aug. 21, at home.

Rosary was said at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22 at the funeral home.

Mr. Skarda was born in Goose Creek. He was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Baytown; Texas A&M University, College Station with a Bachelor of Science degree; and the University of Houston with a Master of Science degree.

After a tour of duty in the Marines and completing his education, he was employed at Halliburton as a chemical engineer before he began teaching. He taught chemistry at South Houston High School, Deer Park High School and San Jacinto Junior College. His teaching career covered 31 years. Following retirement in 1992, he and his wife, Patricia, retired to Frankston.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patricia Skarda of Frankston; his sister, Mabel Phillips of LaPorte; his son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Kellie Skarda of Baytown; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Skarda of Baytown, Tereasa and Mark Goad of Alvin, Beth and David Winingham of Stoneburg; four grandchildren, Ashlee and Alyssa of Baytown, and Samantha and Hance of Stoneburg; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elizabeth Skarda; his sisters, Betty Marie Lowery and Grace Ann Hubbard.

Memorials may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Mission Building Fund, 1101 Highway 155 N., Frankston, TX 75763, or to Hospice of East Texas, 309 W. Oak, Palestine, TX 75802.

Lynda Reisenleiter

Graveside services for Lynda Ann Levassar Reisenleiter, 60, of El Lago, formerly of Frankston, were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Frankston City Cemetery with Rev. Eddie Hilburn officiating. Services were under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston

Memorial services for Mrs. Reisenleiter were held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church under direction of Crowder Funeral Home, Webster.

Mrs. Reisenleiter died Saturday, Aug. 10, in Seabrook.

Survivors include a son, Eric Anthony Burr of Seattle, Wash.; a daughter, Kristen Camille Burr of St. Louis, Mo.; her mother, Annie Bell Levassar of Frankston; and one grandson, Andrew Clark Burr of St. Louis, Mo.

Willie Dell Dickerson

Funeral services for Willie Dell Dickerson, 95, of Frankston were held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Burial was in Poynor Cemetery under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston.

Mrs. Dickerson died Tuesday, Aug. 20, in Frankston.

She was born Feb. 13, 1907 in the Ledbetter Community in Henderson County and lived in the Frankston area all her life. Mrs. Dickerson was a housewife and a member of the Assembly of God.

She was preceded in death by her husband, D.C. Dickerson; two grandchildren; and several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include a son, Jim David Dickerson of Frankston; a daughter, Madeline Costlow of Tyler; three sisters, Ruby Pagitt of Poynor, Ola Shackelford of Frankston and Doris Lee of Tyler; nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Thomas Ray Pagitt, Billy Jo Pagitt, Dan Taylor, Bobby Taylor, Milton Robison and Malcolm Robison.

Joseph H. Tomasso

Joseph H. Tomasso, 51, of Frankston, formerly of Pennsauken, N.J. died Sunday, Aug. 25.

Relatives and friends were invited to the visitation on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Cecilia, 48th & Camden Avenue, Pennsauken. There was a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 11 a.m.

Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Palestine.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Tomasso was employed as an electrical engineer.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Maggie” (nee Goulett); his mother, Rita (nee Grasso); children, Vincent Tomasso, Andrea Kaliss, Christina Tomasso, Rocco Tomasso, Alex Tomasso, Emily Tomasso, Jennifer Hootsell and Matthew Hootsell; grandson, Matthew; a sister, Michelle Markovitz. He is also survived by Kathy Tomasso.

The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Cecilia’s Church, 4824 Camden Ave. Pennsauken, N.J. 08110 or a local area animal shelter.

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