Jo Kelly Smith

Jo Kelly Smith, 63, passed away peacefully at her home on Sept. 7, 2025 surrounded by family.

A funeral service for Kelly, was scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Bro. Tim Smith officiating. She was to be laid to rest at Olive Branch Cemetery.

Born Oct. 14, 1961 in Dallas to Joe Franklin and Joan Kelly Pace, Kelly dedicated her life to caring for others. A devout Christian, she loved her church and her faith guided her throughout her life.

Kelly worked as a nurse for more than 30 years. Many of her most meaningful years were spent as Dr. Gary Babbitt’s nurse at his family clinic in Flint, where she formed lasting bonds with patients, colleagues, and friends.

To her family, Kelly was our rock  —  the fixer and steady hand who made sure everyone was cared for. She was lighthearted and silly, always smiling and laughing. She was also wonderfully stubborn, sarcastic, and sassy, with a mischievous sense of humor that stayed with her even through her hardest days. She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.

Kelly was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Tom Smith; her father Joe Franklin Pace; and her brother Randy Lynn Pace.

She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Joan and Tom Miller; her son Eric Smith; son T.J. Smith and wife Cathy; daughter Sami Burk and husband Sam; sister Cyndi Reed and husband Robert; cousin and best friend Dawayne Pace; grandchildren Cooper Smith, Brayden Smith, Addisyn Brooks, Chelsea Smith, Jonathan Smith, Doc Smith, Kasen Burk and Skylar Burk; great-grandchildren Adalyn Smith and Nolan Smith; nephew Jon Godfrey and wife Ambrosia and their daughter Dolores “Dottie” Godfrey; and many other family and friends.

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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.)

Wilburn ‘Bo' Hefelfinger Jr.

Wilburn Isadore “Bo” Hefelfinger Jr., 71,  passed away on Sept. 2, 2025. He was born on June 5, 1954  to Wilburn Hefelfinger Sr. and LaVerne Walts Hefelfinger in Mart, Texas.

A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Frankston. Bro. George Folmar will conduct the service. A visitation will follow.

Bo grew up in New Caney, Texas and moved to the Frankston area in 1983. He graduated from New Caney High School in 1972.

Bo was an auto mechanic and was employed at Wheeler’s Automotive in Frankston for several years.

Wilburn Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Rick and Dan Hefelfinger, and a sister Phyllis Boles.

Left to cherish his memory are brother James “Butch” Hefelfinger and wife Carolyn; sister Ruthie Fennell and sister-in-law Linda Hefelfinger; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Information for this obituary was obtained from family.

James "Bo" Dansby

James “Bo” Dansby, 80, of Whitehouse went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

He was born to parents, Clifton Ferrell Dansby and Alice Imogene Compton Dansby, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1944, in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Bo was a true friend and family man. The defining characteristics of his life were loyalty, dedication and a faithful servant to Christ. He and his wife Becky were together 38 years, and he dedicated 40 years to the Hunt Oil Co. in Poynor from which he retired in 2005. He structured his life around his faith, children and family and will be deeply missed until their reunion in Heaven.

Bo was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton Ferrell Dansby and Alice Imogene Dansby, and brother, Bob Dansby.

Left to cherish Bo’s memory are his wife Becky Dansby; children Jon Dansby (wife, Lana), Amy Parris (husband, Joel), Lindsey Klinger (husband, Jacob) and Brittany Thompson (husband, Chip); brother Richard “Dicky” Dansby (wife, Geneze); and grandchildren Bailey Barron, Caleb Thompson, Luke Klinger, Eli Klinger, Oliver Klinger, August Klinger, Samuel Klinger, Nicholas Klinger, and Frederick Klinger.

(Information for this obituary posted by Autry Funeral Home )

William "Billy" Hokit Jr.

William “Billy” Franklin Hokit Jr., 71, died Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Tyler. He was born in Cameron County, TX in 1954.

Billy was a devoted husband to wife Mary for 51 years; residing in Frankston for most of that time. He worked as a mechanic and was a member of River of Life Worship Center in Frankston.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents William Franklin Sr. and Doris Hokit and his sisters Pamela Abshire and Brenda Fox.

He is survived by his wife Mary of Frankston; and his children, Jennifer and husband Jimmy Gaines of Palestine, Billy of Frankston, Josh and wife Lisa of Frankston, Amanda of Frankston and Chris and fiancé Brittany of Weatherford. Grandchildren are Brooke, Hendrick, Brice Hendrick, Dom Gaines, Austin Barron, Jordan Hokit, Kelsey Welch, Dylan Hokit, Haidyn Hokit, Braxton Hokit, Jonathan Ball, Hunter Ball, Bailey Ball, Archer Hokit and Adaline Hokit. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Braydon, Luke and Whitley; and several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Bro. Randy Rawls will be officiating. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.

His grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Leon Bruchmiller

A funeral service for Leon Frederic Bruchmiller, 75, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston with Michael Cary officiating. He will be laid to rest at Olive Branch Cemetery in Brushy Creek.

Visitation will begin Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, and family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Frankston

Leon was born on June 17, 1950, to Gerhard Felix and Josephine Rose (Cordray) Bruchmiller and went to be with the Lord on Sept. 27, 2025.

A lifelong resident of Anderson County, Leon served his community with honor as a Deputy Sheriff. After his years in law enforcement, Leon transitioned to a career with United Phone, where he witnessed the evolution of the telecommunications industry as the company became Sprint and later CenturyLink, where he retired with pride.

Leon found his truest joy outdoors, tending to his cows and working the land that he loved. He occasionally took to the woods to hunt or cast a line into a still pond. In his downtime, Leon enjoyed catching a good movie and getting his “screentime,” as he liked to call it. He will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Velma; and sister, Joan Johnston.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Mairon Bruchmiller, of Frankston and Clint Bruchmiller and wife, Sara, of Tyler; one granddaughter, Georgia Rae Bruchmiller; and numerous nieces and nephews.