Barbara Jean Wakeham

A memorial service for Barbara Jean (Davis) Wakeham, 82, of Frankston, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Frankston with Pastor Scott Wiley officiating. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home of Frankston.

Barbara was born on April 4, 1943 in Huntsville, to George Byron Sr. and Nancy Mae Shelly Davis, and went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2025 in Tyler.

A proud and devoted member of the Sewing Sisters of Texas, Barbara poured her heart into every quilt she made, each one a gesture of comfort for the children of fallen military personnel. Her commitment to honoring others brought solace to countless families and served as a quiet testament to her generous spirit.

For 24 years, Barbara worked at Maxwell Pharmacy, where her warm smile and gentle demeanor were a daily gift to all who walked through the doors.

Barbara’s pies and tea cakes were nothing short of legendary. She had a way of turning flour and sugar into something magical, and every slice carried the warmth of home. She especially loved cooking for her church family, often filling fellowship halls with the aromas of comfort and the sounds of gratitude.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and brothers and sisters, George Davis Jr., Melvin Davis, Joyce Davis, Juanita McClendon and Martha Mize.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband William Henry Wakeham Jr.; daughter Wendy Diane Wakeham; son Wendell W. Wakeham and wife, Margaret; sister Florence Dannhaus; grandchildren Edward Colton Fansler Jr., Neissa Boyd, Haley Wakeham and Jacob Wakeham; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

The family suggests consideration of a memorial donation to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital at www.scottishriteforchildren.org .

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

Cora Lee Clarkston

Cora Clarkston, 96, passed away peacefully Friday morning July 25, 2025 at Prestige Assisted Living and Memory Care in Tyler.

Services will be held at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home in Tyler Aug. 1, 2025 with Ron Byrd officiating.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. and the burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler.

Cora was born in Mineola, Feb. 20, 1929 to Floyd and Opal Faye Macoy. Cora was married to James Clarkston for 61 years until his passing in 2012.

Cora was preceded in death by her husband, James Clarkston and her son Paul Clarkston.

Cora is survived by her son Ronnie Clarkston of Crystal Beach, TX and her daughter Jan Clarkston of Spring, TX, and her sister Betty Tucker of Lafayette LA.

Pallbearers will be Dale Clarkston (grandson), Skyler Clarkston (grandson), Tank Pearson (husband of her granddaughter Joy Pearson), David Jack (nephew), Braiden Clarkston (great-grandson) and Randy Ray (longtime friend of the family).

Cora will be missed by her immediate family, Ronnie Clarkston (son) and wife Kathy of Crystal Beach, formerly of Frankston; her two grandchildren Dale Clarkston and wife Leslie of Tyler and their two children Stella and Cheyenne; her granddaughter Joy Clarkston Pearson and her husband Tank Pearson of Longview;  daughter in law Penny Clarkston (widow of Paul Clarkston) and her son Skyler and his wife Katie of Flint; their two children, Braiden and Logan;  and her daughter Jan Clarkston of Spring, TX.  She also has a host of nieces and nephews from her seven siblings.  

Cora was a member of University Christian Church in Tyler and was a member of The Order of Eastern Star in Tyler.

She and her late husband, James Clarkston, enjoyed camping with their clubs over the years, Ramblers Camping Club and Airstream Camping Club where they enjoyed fishing, fellowship and fun with their fellow campers. In her later years, she learned to play bridge and played weekly at the Holt House and with other groups and friends.  She also loved to play dominoes and other games.

Cora was also a member of The Ladies of the Nile, formally known as the Daughters of the Nile, a fraternal organization dedicated to supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children and fostering community among women related to Shriners.

Cora’s last seven years were spent at Prestige Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Tyler where she made new friends and celebrated life.  

She will be missed by many who touched her life.

John Dudley Poulsen

John Dudley Poulsen, age 66, passed away on July 27, 2025, from complications of muscular dystrophy. John, born on May 6, 1959, in Wichita Falls, was the son of Ava Jean Jernigin Rector and Frank Loren Poulsen.

He attended school in Wichita Falls through the fourth grade and graduated from R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth. John graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1981 earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Shortly after graduation, John began working for Lindsey and Newsom Insurance Adjustors and then worked for Allstate Insurance from 1986 to 1997 in East Texas. After moving back to Fort Worth, he worked four years for Texas Health and Human Services. John medically retired in 2001 due to muscular dystrophy.

John married Mary Ann McLane of Frankston in 1982. They have two children, Frank Poulsen and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Poulsen. John is also survived by his sister Loren Poulsen; two step-sisters Rosemary Rector and Robin Rector; a maternal aunt Nell Jernigin Reeder Branch; a niece, Heather McLane and several cousins.

John had a passion for hunting, primarily for white-tailed deer. He enjoyed fishing for bass, catfish, crappie, and some saltwater fishing, too. John was very proud of his turkey, wild boar, Aoudad Ram and many white-tailed buck trophies. His hunting trips were some of his happiest days.

John enjoyed several friendships through the Internet and Facebook and thanks everyone for their friendship through the years.

“Mary Ann, Frank and Lizzie, I love you with all my heart. Please take care of each other.

“Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for loving me and being there for me every step along the way.

Quoting 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.”

John’s wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes scattered at the McLane family farm where he enjoyed many hours of deer hunting, and at Sam Rayburn Reservoir where he loved to go bass fishing.

More information may be seen in a posting by Winscott Road Funeral Home .

Ethel Jewel Austin

Funeral services for Mrs. Ethel Austin were held Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 12 noon at Faith Temple House of Deliverance in Frankston. Host Pastor was Alice Cumby, officiant Evangelist Lolita Shead and Eulogist Dr. E.N. Fulford.

Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery under the direction of the John R. Harmon Undertaking Co.of Tyler.

Mrs. Austin, the daughter of the late Oscar and Lockie Mae Smith, was born in Anderson County on Feb. 16, 1951 and a beautiful life came to a close on July 8, 2025 when God summoned her home.

She was reared in the Pleasant Hill Community and attended school at George W.. Carter until the movement of integration. Then Ethel attended Frankston ISD, completing her high school studies.

Ethel united with Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at an early age and remained a loyal and faithful member. She was always willing to help anyone she could.

On Nov. 26, 1968, she united in Holy Matrimony with the late. Jessie Austin and to this union one child was born.

Preceding Ethel in death were her husband Jessie Austin; parents Oscar and Lockie. Mae Smith; and brother Alvin J. Smith..

Her memories shall forever be embedded in the hearts of her daughter Bonnie Austin VanZandt and son-in-law Richard Lee VanZandt; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a close friend who felt like her sister, Elizabeth Renfro.

Pallbearers were Gary Allen, James Allen, Curtis Freeney, Desmond Hinton, Kenneth Hawkins and Michael Hatton.

Honorary Pallbearers wee William Jefferson, Rondey Hatton, Carlos Henderson, Keith Renfro, Daryl Paris, David Tatum, Ladarion Hall and Ronald McKenzie.

She will be missed dearly. . .