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.)

Lawrence Jay Smith,

A funeral service for Lawrence Jay Smith, 95, is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, June 10, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Frankston with Rev. Scott Wiley officiating. He will be laid to rest at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville.

Visitation will begin on Friday, June 9, 2023 and family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

He was born to Bert Lee and Dona Smith on June 12, 1927 in Gallatin and passed away on June 6, 2023.

Lawrence dedicated his life to serving the Lord, his family, and community. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Frankston, and Campers on Mission with the Southern Baptist Convention. Lawrence was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Nell Smith; siblings, Melvin Smith, Avaul Smith, Berta Garner, W.F. Smith, and Clifford Smith; and son in-law, Terry Risvold.

Left to cherish Lawrence’s memory are his daughters, Kathy Daughety and husband Steven of Jacksonville, and Vicky Jayne Risvold of Frankston. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ralph Horne and wife, Karol; six grandchildren, Larry Risvold, Teresa Risvold, Kimberly Risvold, Amy Risvold, Justin Daughety and wife, Jihye Nam, and Katelyn Daughety; and five great grandkids, Kelly, Brendon, Abriel, Caspian, and Hallie.

(Information for this obituary was obtained from a obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home ).

Sue Robison

A graveside service and celebration of life for Sue Robison, 87, will be held Monday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at the Frankston City Cemetery.

Sue was met by her husband, mother and father, and siblings at the gates of heaven on Nov. 18, 2022.

Sue was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and daughter. All who knew Sue, knew she spoke her mind. She loved and was dedicated to her husband and family. Being the ‘baby’ of four children, she enjoyed telling stories of her and her siblings while growing up. Extended family ‘pea picking’ parties and penny poker along with vacations with her husband and daughters were just some of the wonderful memories she made for her family.

Sue loved life with true passion and gave her heart and soul to whatever project she was committed to. She was a strong woman and behind that strong exterior was a heart of gold.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Milton, her parents Jewell and Claude, her sister and brother-in-law Adeline and Roland, her brother and sister-in-law J.D. and Jo, her brother and sister-in-law Bobby and Billie, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Malcomb and Marilyn Sue, and her grandson Barry.

Sue is survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Francis and Jimmy, her daughter Laura, her daughter and son-in-law Lydia and Bill, her daughter Johanna, her grandchildren Andy, Cathlyn, Michelle, Susan, Savannah, Bryant, and Meric. She is also survived by numerous great grandchildren, family, and friends.

She will forever be in our hearts.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org or to the Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org and are appreciated.

(Information for this obituary was obtained from a obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home ).

Annie Beatrice Smith

A funeral service for Annie Beatrice Smith, 96, was held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Jason Charles and Michael Griffin officiating. Visitation began one hour before. She was laid to rest at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston.

She was born on Dec 4, 1926, to William H. and Dewey (Robinson) Bizzell in Frankston and passed away on June 12, 2023.

Annie Beatrice Smith was known affectionately as both “Annie Bea” and “Aunt Bea” by many and “Nana” by a few others. She adored her family and rarely passed up a game of dominos. Annie Bea was a homemaker for much of her life and enjoyed everything that entailed. She was a talented seamstress and achieved perfection in her work. Annie Bea loved being outside doing yard work or other things. She was a wonderful cook and a gifted artist who loved painting.

Annie Bea was a precious instrument of God’s righteousness and served others in so many meaningful ways. She set a beautiful example and will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

Annie Bea was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Dewey (Robinson) Bizzell; loving husband, Dean Smith; three brothers, Ray, Roy, and Johnny Bizzell; and two sisters, Bernice Mozley and Louis Kendrick.

Left to cherish Annie Bea’s memory are her son, Earl Wayne Smith and wife Shirley of Frankston; and daughter, Sherry Ann Lott and husband Floyd of Frankston. She also is survived by three grandchildren: Amy Lott Knickel of Oakwood, Georgia, Carmen Smith Ryals and husband Mark of Frankston, and Daniel Smith of Frankston; four great grandchildren: Madeline Knickel, Drew Knickel, Timothy Ryals, and Hudson Smith; and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family, and loving friends.

Pallbearers were Floyd Lott, Drew Knickel, Mark Ryals, Tim Ryals, Daniel Smith, and Oscar Lott.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to Faith Fellowship Church in Frankston at 22969 Edgewater Dr, Frankston, TX 75763.

(Information for this obituary was obtained from a obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home ).

LaVerne Baker Minton

A funeral service for LaVerne Baker Minton, 85, was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Robert Carter officiating. Visitation was held 30 minutes before the service. She was laid to rest at Bullard Cemetery.

LaVerne was born on Sept. 1, 1937, to Ray and Louella Baker in Frankston and passed away on June 16, 2023.

Laverne was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Bullard. She really enjoyed her Sunday school class. LaVerne was a powerful example of servanthood and sacrifice. This showed for many years as she cared for the children of Bullard.

She was a great cook and possessed the gift of hospitality by which many folks were blessed over the years. LaVerne will be remembered as the best grandma who loved her family dearly.

LaVerne was also an avid reader and never missed the opportunity to trade books with her life-long friend Wanda Sue. LaVerne was certainly an instrument of God’s righteousness and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Louella Baker; loving husband, Laney Minton; daughter, Cindy Minton; and sister, Connie Harris.

Left to cherish LaVerne’s memory are her son, John Minton of Bullard; sister, Linda King and husband Kenneth of Bullard; and granddaughter, Sarah Minton of Bullard. She is also survived by longtime family members: Tammy Minton Fields, April Minton, Shera-Donne Lee; and other nieces, nephews, extended family, and loving friends.

Pallbearers were Tony Vining, Bill Newburn, Randy Hurst, Brian Harris, Lance Eitel, Curtis Dean.

Honorary pallbearers are Bob Caves, Jimmy Cantrell, and Robert Newburn.

(Information for this obituary was obtained from a obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home ).

Bobby Eugene Welch

A funeral service for Bobby Eugene Welch, 72, is scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, June 26, 2023, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Rev. Vernon R. Groce and Rev. Vernon E. Groce officiating. He will be laid to rest at Garden Oaks Cemetery in Berryville.

Visitation will begin on Sunday, June 25, 2023, and family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Nan and Elmer Welch; and sister, Janice Vasquez.

Left to cherish Bobby’s memory are his sister, Diane Summo (Bill); beloved wife of 41 years, Retta; two daughters, Tara McGraw (David) and Vanessa Marks; four granddaughters: Misty Marks, Summer Smith (Cristopher), Brittanny Dudley (Robert), and Abbie Jared; and four great grandchildren: Illiauna, Michael, AJ, and Iris Rose. He is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

(Information for this obituary was obtained from a obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home ).

Norma Geline Dodd

A funeral service for Norma Geline Dodd, 95, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Rusty McLen will officiate. Visitation will be before the service beginning at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Frankston City Cemetery.

Geline was born Oct. 29, 1927, to Horace and Ruby (Richards) Beard in Frankston and passed away on June 25, 2023.

She was a beloved school teacher for 47 years. She spent most of those years teaching in Wylie, Texas before retiring in 1997. Geline loved to tell about the times she spent at basketball games with her husband, Coach R.C. Dodd, and to share stories about past students and their accomplishments and was always thrilled whenever they reached out to her throughout her retirement.

Shortly after retiring she moved to Frankston where she spent much of her time with family and friends, while maintaining the many friendships she had developed during her years in Wylie. Geline enjoyed shopping with loved ones, and she also loved to read and look out at the pretty flowers and hummingbirds in her yard.

She was a member of the Church of Christ and was always glad to help whenever needed.

Geline was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Ruby Beard, and her husband, R.C. Dodd.

She is survived by numerous cousins.

Pallbearers will be Vic Malone, Jason Malone, Spencer Beard, Brent Beard, Kyle Beard, Austin Davis, and Greg Evans.

Information for this obituary was obtained from a obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home ).

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