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.)

Richard ‘Benny’ Benavides Jr.

Richard Antioco "Benny" Benavides Jr., master gunnery sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps retired, died on Nov. 30 to "report for duty standing guard at the gates of heaven."

Born Sept. 26, 1930, in Dallas to Richard Antioco Benavides Sr. and Mary Rose Ortega, Benny joined the U.S. Marine Corps in March of 1950 and retired 30 years later in June of 1980.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Benny worked in civil service until he retired in 1993 and moved to Berryville.

Since his retirement, he has been an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5073 in Frankston and American Veterans Chapter 125 in Berryville.

He was a lifetime member of the Marine League "Piney Woods Detachment" and has been an active member of Hilltop Baptist Church in Berryville.

He is survived by his wife Betty, formerly of Fairfield; sisters Vi and Debra Franklin of Santa Maria, California, Mary Ann Jordan of Berryville; sons Richard D. Benavides, Sr. and wife Mim of Arlington, Michael and wife Angie of Florida; step-daughters Vanessa Smith and husband Bryan of Fairfield, Stephanie Hillman and husband Gene of Montalba; niece Dana Large and husband Monte of Berryville; nephew Alfred Benavides, wife Rhonda and children; grand-daughters Michelle Bottoms and Lisa Neptune of Fairfield, Anita of California and Andrea of North Dakota ; grandsons Phillip Aiken of Dallas, Aaron Neptune and wife Amy of Fairfield; and great-grandson Adam Neptune.

He was preceded in death by wives Lois and Lucille and grandson Richard D. Benavides, Jr.

Loyd ‘Bubba’ Willingham

Funeral services for Loyd “Bubba” Willingham, 53, of Frankston, were scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel, Frankston, with the Rev. Doug Howell officiating. Burial was to follow in Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Willingham died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at his residence.

He was born February 11, 1954 in Houston to Loyd, Sr. and Wilma Ann Selman Willingham.

He was preceded in death by his father: Loyd G. Willingham, Sr.

Survivors include his mother, Ann Willingham of Frankston; his sister and brother-in-law, Lou Ann & Dana Bizzell of Frankston; a niece and two nephews.

Pallbearers were Dana Bizzell, Ryan Bizzell, Bryan Bizzell, Joe Dale Dickerson, Jimmy Westbrook and Harry Smith.

Honorary pallbearers were Hunter Ramsey, Brink Bizzell and Caleb Ramsey

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Edgar Pedersen

Funeral services for Edgar Vernon Valdemar Pedersen, 89, of Frankston were scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the United Methodist Church of Frankston with Doug Howell officiating.

Burial was to follow in the Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Pedersen passed away Sunday afternoon at his residence. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Athens.

Mr. Pedersen was born July 21, 1918 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Christian and Anna Hornemann Pedersen.

He lived his early life in South Dakota and moved to California to attend Southern California University.

After his schooling, he was employed as a scriptwriter in Hollywood before entering the Overseas Secret Service in 1942.

He returned to California and was a partner in Zigler Steel in Los Angeles and was later an active partner with his brother in war surplus supply for several years.

Mr. Pedersen moved to New York and married his first wife Marguerite in 1957 and later moved to Houston were he was employed in international oil exploration.

After retirement, they moved to North Oxford, Mass.

After the passing of his wife in 1999, he returned to Frankston to be near family. He married Loretta Davis on July 29, 2006 and remained active in stock trading on the NYSE.

Mr. Pedersen was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marguerite Pederson; and brothers, Seymour Pedersen, LeRoy Pedersen and Howard Pedersen.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta “Davis” Pedersen of Frankston; daughter and son-in-law, Marguerite and Timothy Lowak of LaVernia; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Vickie Pedersen of Vidor and Chris and Lynn Pedersen of Oxford, Mass; grandchildren, Anzlie Lowak, Kaylie Lowak, Grant Pedersen, Gavin Pedersen, Daria Pedersen; nephew, Ramsey Pedersen and wife Pat of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Pallbearers include Chris Pedersen, Mark Pedersen, Timothy Lowak, Dean Bryant, Bill Cook and Michael Bedell.

Honorary pallbearers include Bo Lookabaugh and Ramsey Pedersen.

Carrie F. Osborne

Funeral services for Carrie F. Osborne, 85, of Jacksonville, formerly of Frankston, are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. at Autry Funeral Home Chapel, Frankston, with the Rev. Michael Lewis presiding.

Burial will follow at the LaRue Cemetery.

Mrs. Osborne was born on Oct. 5, 1922 in LaRue, and died on Dec. 5, 2007 in Tyler.

She was a member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and was a homemaker.

Mrs. Osborne was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony Samuel Haynes and Lilly Emmaline Alexander and husband, Randel W. “Jack” Osborne, Sr.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Randel W., Jr. and Janice Osborne, Blanchard, Okla. and Joe A. and Kathy Osborne, Jacksonville; 5 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, James and Gwen Haynes, Athens; sisters, Julia Hatter of Jackson, Tenn., Alice Baggerman of Portland, Oregon; sister-in-law, Gale Haynes of Murchison; brother-in-law, William “Square” Walker of Poynor, and several nieces and nephews,

Pallbearers will be Chad Osborne, Nathan Osborne, John Cook, Roy Patton, Benji Haynes, Chase Boothe, and Steven Simmons.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Hatter, Scott Taylor, Allen Taylor, Stan Haynes, Steve Haynes, Kelly Walker, Jerry Osborne, Mike Hatter, and Curt Sadler.

Visitation will begin on Friday, Dec. 14, with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Christene ‘Chris’ Hatton

Funeral services for Christene “Chris” Hatton, 66, of Frankston will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Faith Temple Full Gospel Pentecostal Church with pastor Alice Cumby officiating.

Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Company.

Mrs. Hatton died Dec. 7, 2007 at Legacy Hospice in Tyler.

She was born Jan. 5, 1941 in Anderson County and attended George Washington Carver and Prairie View A&M University.

She was a lifelong resident of Frankston and was a member of Faith Temple Full Gospel Pentecostal Church. She worked as a housewife and was a sister in the Heroines of Jericho.

Mrs. Hatton was preceded in death by her parents, one son, one daughter and one granddaughter.

She is survived by her husband, Jody Hatton of Frankston; two sons, Michael Hatton and Calvin Hatton both of Frankston; two brothers; two sisters; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Alfonzo Lang, Kenneth Hawkins, Roderick Renfro, William Jefferson, Richard Van Zandt, Ricky Williams and Dixie Miller.

Honorary pallbearers are the deacons of Faith Temple Full Gospel Pentecostal Church.

Dan Hunter

Funeral services for Dan Hunter, 69, of Frankston,were scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Pastor Darrell Price presiding. Burial was scheduled to follow at Frankston City Cemetery.

Mr. Hunter passed away at his home in Frankston on Monday Dec. 10, 2007 surrounded by his family.

He was born July 1, 1938 in Panola County to Elmo and Eva Hunter. Mr. Hunter worked in the oil field construction industry, was a member of the Shriners and was also a Mason. He served our country in the U.S. Army and was a member of the East Side Missionary Church, Gary, Texas

Mr. Hunter was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife Ann Hunter.

He is survived by two daughters, Carla Hunter of Waco, and Dannette Hunter of Temple; a brother, Tommy and wife Lattie Hunter of San Augustine, Texas; a sister, Janice and husband Maxie Lake of Gary, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Keith Bristow, Ronny Berryhill, Jay Boles, Joe Dale Dickerson, Britt Bacon and Nick Nichols.

Glenda Marie Dingler

Funeral services for Glenda Marie Dingler of LaRue were held Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Faith Fellowship Baptist Church with Jeff Godwin officiating.

Burial followed at the New York Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Athens.

Mrs. Dingler went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 7, 2007.

She was born March 30, 1955 in Athens to her parents, Jimmy Glen and Billie Marie Richardson.

She will be remembered most by her family as a faithful friend, loving wife, precious mother and devoted daughter.

Glenda’s genuine spirit and kind nature was felt by all who knew her. Her infectious laughter would fill the room at any gathering.

Glenda was employed for 14 years at the LaPoynor school system.

She was a faithful member of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church where she served God with all her heart.

Her hobbies included sewing, gardening and cooking.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Glen Richardson in October of 2005.

Glenda is survived by her husband of 31 years, Jimmy Dingler; son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Amanda Dingler; mother, Billie Marie Richardson; brother, John Richardson of LaRue; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Mickie Dingler of LaRue; brother-in-law, Billy Dingler of Austin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Stanley and Nancy Snowden of Hurst; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers were Mark Richardson, Connally Howeth, Hal Howeth, Wayne Carroll, Darrell Miller and Kenny Neely.

Honorary pallbearers were Tommy Burch, Todd Burch, Wayne Miller, Paul Richardson, Dennis Richardson, Russell Richardson, Roger Richardson, Stephen Clark, Andrew Richardson, Tommy Dingler and Terry Dingler.

Dorothy Jean Pratt

Dorothy Jean Pratt of Tyler died on Dec. 11, 2007 at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. She was 80. Services were to be held at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler on Friday, Dec. 14, with Thomas E. Pratt, Jr. officiating with assistance from Art and Jodi Treherne.

Dorothy, known affectionately as “Dot” to long-time Frankston friends, was born in Frankston on July 28, 1927.

She graduated from Frankston High School in 1944 and was married to Thomas E. Pratt, her high school sweetheart, on May 28, 1944. Mr. Pratt preceded her in passing in 2004.

She was a graduate of the University of Corpus Christi (now Texas A&M Corpus Christi) and received her M.A. from Baylor University. She also did work toward her Ph.D. at Baylor and the University of South Carolina. She taught high school and college in the states of Texas, Missouri, and South Carolina for 40 years.

She is survived by her son, Thomas E. Pratt, Jr. and wife Karen of Franktown, Colo.; her daughter, Laura Pratt of Sugarland; grandchildren, Christie Ficke and husband Chris of Catonsville, Maryland, Carrie Fraley and husband Johnathan of Sugarland, Thomas E. Pratt, III of Dallas, and William Dale Pratt of Aurora, Colo.

She also lived to know and love her four great-grandchildren, Aidan and Katelyn Fraley and Brit and Blake Ficke. Her brother, Ben Houston, lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. and nephew, Reuben Autery, near Austin.

For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com  .

Harold Edward Hicks

Graveside services for Harold Edward Hicks, 52, of Jacksonville, were scheduled for Friday, Dec. 14, at Jarratt Cemetery with Mr. Davy Carter presiding. Services were under direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Mr. Hicks was born in Pasadena March 19, 1955 and died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007 in Jacksonville.

He was preceded in death by his father G. W. Hicks.

He is survived by mother, Betty Lou Hicks, Jacksonville; daughters and spouses, Latisha Hicks and Gregory Roland, Rusk, and Candace and Jason Park, Jacksonville; brothers and spouses, Jimmy and Joy Hicks, Lake Charles, LA., Allen and Betty Hicks, Henderson, Billy and Linda Hicks, Lake Palestine, and Michael Hicks and Nelsa McFadden, Jacksonville; sisters and spouse, Barbara and Robbie Clary, Jacksonville and Diane Hicks, Houston; and 4 grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers were James Clary, Jr., Michael McLean, David McLean, Justin Hicks, Charlie Motes, Billy Jr. Hicks and James Hicks.

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