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.)

Claude William Moore

Claude William Moore, 80, of Berryville, passed away on Nov. 3, 2013. Claude was born Aug. 28,1933, in Oklahoma City.

He served his country during the Korean War and then graduated from University of Oklahoma with a degree in aeronautical engineering.

He worked as an engineer for Fritz W. Glitsch and Sons and then traveled the world while working at Howe Baker and PetroFac.

He was also an artist and inventor. He created glass works of art that he gave freely to others. He also was most proud of the house that he built on Lake Palestine.

When he was diagnosed with lung cancer in January of 2013, his family knew he wanted to die at his home on the lake he loved.

His entire family, friends and many staff members at Hospice of East Texas made it possible to die peacefully at home.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents Clara and Claud Moore and his sister VIrginia Hartronft.

He is survived by his son Keith Moore and wife Kathy of Dallas; daughter Laura Owen and husband Jeff of Tyler; daughter Jackie Chisenhall and husband Luke of Rowlett; daughter Jolynn Moore of Dallas and son Joseph Moore of New Braunfels; grandchildren Thomas B. Enlow, Gregory Enlow, Charles McKay, Cage Chisenhall, Braydon and Mason Moore, Douglas Owen and wife Leslie and Robert Owen and wife Alecia; great grandchildren Angel, Faith, Jacob, Delaney and Lyla Rose Owen; nieces Sandra Tully and husband David and Deb Flynn and husband Buddy and close friends Jan, Larry and daughter Johnann Osteen.

He will also be greatly missed by all of his dogs and cats that gave him much joy - Buddy, Sissy, BeBe, Maggie Mae, GC, BC, Bismuth, Pretty Kitty and Momma Cat - most of them rescued from the area.

A graveside memorial service was held on Nov. 5, 2013, at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville under direction of Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

Memorials may be made to Pets Fur People, P.O. Box 6151 Tyler, 75710 or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, 75703.

Evelyn Lorene Mayo

Funeral services for Evelyn Lorene Mayo, 88, of Jacksonville were held Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with Bro. David Smith and Bro. Wade Holman officiating. Burial was at Meador Cemetery in Jacksonville.

She passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at home with family.

Evelyn was born June 29, 1925, to George Lafe Henderson and Leona Overton Henderson of Frankston. She was an active member of Craft Baptist Church serving as children’s Sunday school and girl’s missionary auxiliary teacher for 45 years. Evelyn loved the Lord and was a dedicated Christian who believed in taking her children to church to instill the love of God in their lives. She was a sales lady for 25 years with Sears in Jacksonville. She was a faithful wife to William Mayo, her husband of 57 1⁄2 years, and a loving mother to their children.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband; and infant daughter, Theresa Lynn; all her siblings, two brothers, Cone and Harvey; ten sisters Dallas Walters, Maybell Adams, Lockie Harrison, Mary McNeil, Opal Maxwell, Margaret Felder, Virginia Landrum, Jo Franklin, Ruth Smith and Myrtle George.

She is survived by daughter Denise Carlile of Ponta; three sons Chester Mayo and wife Jane of Palestine, Freddy Mayo of Lake Jackson, William V. Mayo and wife Felicia of Jacksonville; seven grandchildren Reagan Mayo, Christina Mayo and husband Tim Lombrado, Konrad Mayo, Keith Mayo, Shane Carlile and wife Sharon, Candice Caine, Patricia Johnson and husband Michael. She was blessed with ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; also numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Scott Alexander, Perry Morgan, Weldon Lightsey, Larry White, Paul and Chad Galyean.

Honorary pallbearers were Tommy Arrington, grandson Chester R. Mayo, Konrad Mayo, Keith Mayo, and Shane Carlile.

Rather than the customary condolences, donations in memory of Evelyn may be made to Craft Baptist Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice.

Janet Clayton

Funeral services for Janet Clayton, 92, of LaRue were held Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at Poynor Baptist Church in Poynor with the Rev. Jeff Godwin officiating.

Burial was at Poynor Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Mrs. Clayton passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Katy.

Janet was born Oct. 15, 1921, in Beaumont to George and Augusta Cornelia Tipton.

She was a member of Poynor Baptist Church and Frankston Garden Club. Mrs. Clayton was a teacher for 31 years and also taught Sunday school.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Homer Ferrell Clayton; and brothers Ray Tipton and George Tipton Jr.

Survivors include her son Dennis Clayton and wife Nelda of Katy; daughter Judy Ray and husband Jerry of Houston; grandchildren Dennis Brian Clayton and wife Elaine, Melinda Rhee Clayton, Jerry Mark Ray and wife Elizabeth, all of Houston; great-grandchildren Brian Zachary Clayton, Alexander James Ferrell Ray and Mark Austin Michael Ray, all of Houston.

Pallbearers were Bubba Holcomb, Eugene Ethridge, Jerry Max Douglas, Keith Bristow, Bob Walker, and Duane Nichols.

Honorary pallbearers were Lowell Bristow and Marvin Holcomb.

Martha Vermillion

Funeral services for Martha Vermillion, 77, of Tyler were held Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Bullard with the Rev. David Brasher officiating.

Burial was at Frankston City Cemetery in Frankston. Services were under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Martha was born on September 8, 1936, in Hempstead to Harry and Jessie Seburn and succumbed to the complications of Alzheimer’s on Nov. 16, 2013.

She graduated from Palestine High School and Trinity Valley College and attended Lamar University.

She married Bobby Vermillion on Nov. 22, 1956. They had one daughter, Leah.

A native Texan, Martha Vermillion, painted a wide variety of subjects in oils, though her favorites are bluebonnets and landscapes with birds and animals.

Martha developed a deep love and understanding of nature and its beauty early in life while hunting and fishing with her father along the creeks, rivers, and lakes throughout East Texas.

Martha started painting after her daughter started first grade. In 1975, she started teaching beginning and intermediate students until ill health overcame her ability to paint or teach. During all those years, she was also a student. She attended art classes and workshops with many well-known artists. She was a past member of the Pasadena Art League and the Houston Art Society.

Martha loved to travel and traveled to all 50 states, North and South America, Europe, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Jessie Seburn; daughter Leah Vermillion; and sisters Alma Phillips and Jeannie Elkins.

Survivors include her husband Bobby Vermillion; sister Patsy McMichael; niece Doty Phillips Johnson and husband Pat; and many nieces and nephews.

She was a member of Bullard First United Methodist Church. She was a long time resident of the Houston area and a member of the Pasadena First United Methodist Church for more than 40 years.

Robert William Rasmussen

Robert William Rasmussen went to be with our Lord and his beloved wife of 57 years, Sophia Lee Rasco Rasmussen, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, in Mansfield, Texas.

Memorial services for Robert were held Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at the Poynor Baptist Church with Pastor Paul Defunbrook officiating.

He was born Sept. 26, 1920, in Kingsville to Peter and Carrie Rasmussen.

Robert was a chemical engineer receiving his MS from Illinois Institute of Technology.

After college, he worked on the Manhattan Project during WWII. After the war, he worked for 37 years at the Celanese Chemical Company facilities in Bishop, Pampa and Corpus Christi Texas and retired in 1982.

He was a member of Poynor Baptist Church.

Survivors include his daughters Cathy Ullo of Plano, Christi Crafton and husband Garry of Mansfield; sons Mark Rasmussen and wife Rosie of Corpus Christi, Dane Rasmussen and wife Danita of St Augustine, Florida; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister Marjorie Idar; and several nieces and nephews.

Karl D. ‘Tony’ Herrington

Funeral services for Karl D. “Tony” Herrington, 86, of Frankston were held Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at The United Methodist Church of Frankston with the Rev. David Urban officiating.

Burial was at Frankston City Cemetery. Services were under direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Herrington passed away on Thursday, Nov, 21, 2013, in Tyler

He was born December 18, 1926, in Frankston. He served in the both World War II and the Korean War.

Among his many endeavors, Tony worked for Ethyl Corporation in Pasadena, was co-owner of the Ford Dealership in Frankston, was a residential contractor in the East Texas area, and owner and operator of Coffee Landing Restaurant in Coffee City.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Mary Jane Herrington; daughters Kathy Clarkston and husband Ronnie, Karla Dennis and husband Mike, Karen Faulkner and husband Mark, all of Frankston, Margie Grissom and husband Bully of Pert; nine grandchildren Heath Campbell and wife Katie, Joy Pearson and husband Tank, Dale Clarkston, Brenda Watkins and husband Phil, Steven Dennis and wife Tammy, Luke Stanly and wife Kristi, Kim McGuffey and husband Luke, Maegan Stanly, and Haley Faulkner; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Heath Campbell, Dale Clarkston, Steven Dennis, Luke Stanly, Luke McGuffey, Tank Pearson, Phil Watkins, and Don Fitzgerald.

Honorary pallbearers were Joy Clarkston, Brenda Watkins, Kim McGuffey, Maegan Stanly, Haley Faulkner, Katie Campbell, Tammy Dennis and Kristi Stanly.

Donald Ray Smith

Funeral services for Donald Ray Smith, 61, of Terrell were held Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Christopher Smith and Brandon Sheeley officiating. Burial was at Wofford Cemetery in Frankston.

Mr. Smith passed away, Nov. 21, 2013, in Dallas.

Donald was born October 19, 1952, in Jacksonville.

He worked in administration for a trucking company.

He is preceded in death by his father, William Lewis Smith.

Survivors include his mother Margie Hoffman Smith of Frankston; son Jamey Tarrant and wife Jenny of Breckenridge, Colo.; daughters Natalie Smith of San Antonio, Emily Smith of Terrell; brother Steve Smith and wife Peggy of Brownsboro; sisters Kay Sheeley and husband Terry of Frankston, Linda Wells and husband Glen of Springtown; and two grandchildren Isabelle and Piper Tarrant.

Betty Reese

Graveside services for Betty Reese, 81, of Dallas, formerly of Frankston, were held Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Frankston City Cemetery with the Rev. J. A. Griffin officiating. Services were under direction of Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston.

Mrs. Reese passed away Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Dallas.

She was born June 11, 1932, in Frankston to Alex and Winnie Beard. She was an executive assistant with a pharmacy company.

She is preceded in death by her husband James S. Reese; and sons Steve and David Reese.

Survivors include her son Kenneth Reese and wife Sara of Dallas; sisters Gladys Overton of Lake Palestine, Novalene “Sis” Burris of Dallas, and Mary Randal of Cash; grandchildren Josh Reese, Laura Saylor, Matthew Reese, Kelli Chavez, and Cameron Reese; great-grandchildren Bailee and Brianna Chavez, and Isabella Saylor.

Rather than the customary condolences, memorials in memory of Betty Reese may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

Mildred Bobak

Mildred Margaret Bobak, 84, of Chandler, died Nov. 23, 2013, in Chandler.

Funeral Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Chandler Memorial Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Bristow officiating.

Burial followed in the Rock Hill Cemetery.

Mildred was born July 2, 1929, in Joliet, Illinois to the late William and Alpha Fair. She was a certified nurse’s assistant and attended Rock Hill Baptist Church.

She is survived by her sons Gerrit Blink and wife Sylvia of Momence,IL and Clarence “Shorty” Blink and wife Donna of Wanatah, IN, daughter Margaret Menninger and husband Alan of Frankston, four grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

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