Cherokee County, Texas
OBITUARIES SEPTEMBER 2007
Thomas "T" Cook 1/11/1933 -9/3/2007
Thomas Bradford Cook, 74, of Frankston, passed away September 3, 2007.
He was born January 11, 1933. Forty-seven years serving public education
is his professional legacy. A Christian, Mason, and loving family
patriarch is his personal story.
Mr. Cook had served the Frankston Independent School District for 40
years before an illness caused him to relinquish his duties. Prior to
that, he had served seven years as a teacher-coach at Mt. Enterprise ISD,
after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.
He is a 1951 graduate of Frankston High School.
The veteran educator returned to his hometown to become a fulltime
social studies teacher in 1967. When the school decided to reinstate a
football program which had been discontinued in 1950, Mr. Cook agreed to
take over as head coach. He had been a quarterback on one of the last
teams to play before the program was discontinued. In his new job,
Coach Cook led the team in a year of junior varsity competition in 1972
and a perfect 10-0 record that year. He then led the Indians on a
four-year revival of Frankston football fortunes, culminating in a
District 18-A championship, a bi-district win over Blooming Grove, a
regional victory over Overton and a trip to the state Class A
quarterfinals against powerful Mart. Coach Cook was honored by being
selected an East Texas Coach of the Year for his and the Indians’
accomplishment. During the four years at the FHS helm, Coach Cook
compiled a 26-16-1 record in varsity play before stepping down as head
coach at the close of the 1976 season. During the 1976 season, his team
posted a 10-2-1 season record and a 5-0 district mark. The team had 7-3
records for the two prior years. Coach Cook also served as head baseball
coach. Shortly after his resignation from his head coaching duties, Mr.
Cook took over fulltime duties as principal of Frankston Elementary
School, a position he held until 1988, when he returned to teaching and
assisting with the Frankston football program. After his years as head
football coach, he rarely missed a Frankston football game, at home or
away and regularly attended other Frankston sporting events. I
In recent years, Cook had been serving as textbook coordinator for
Frankston ISD and helping out in any other ways he could. He was an
“early riser” and it was not uncommon to see him returning from an early
errand as others were leaving for work. Those who knew him best also
were well-advised to “call him early” in the evening, because, when he
could, he went to bed early. He liked to fish, alone or with friends or
family, and he faithfully tended his lawn and his farm. He had a
passion for his role as a public school teacher, administrator and coach
and would have begun his 41st year at Frankston ISD had his health
allowed, family members said.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Naomi Ruth Cook; children
include Tommy D. Cook and wife Lisa of the Woodlands and Gena L. (Cook)
Stoke and husband Aaron of Round Rock; grandchildren are Jesse L. Cook,
Minnie A. (Cook) Baker and husband Matt, and Anissa L. Stoke;
great-granddaughter, Brooklyn R. Baker and sister, Juanita Conaway of
Frankston.
He was preceded in death by brother, Otis “Poncho” R. Cook.
Pallbearers are Austin Thacker, G. V. “Bo” Ousley, Raymond Nichols,
Jerry Beard, Mike Cook, Johnny Burks, Jim Smith, and Robert Loper.
Honorary pallbearers are Troy House, Larry Weesner, Karla Dennis, Sarah
Thacker, Joan Moseley, D.A. “Doodle” Beard, Mickey Kirkpatrick, Sonny
Perry, James (Turk) Monday, Les Wells, T.L. Beard, and Billy Bacon.
Visitation services are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, Sept. 5 at Autry
Funeral Home, Jacksonville.
Funeral services will be at the Frankston First Baptist Church,
beginning at 3 p.m., Sept. 6, with Olin Boles, Chris White, J.A.
Griffin, and Darin Wood officiating. Burial will be at the Frankston
City Cemetery.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Frankston City Cemetery, c/o
Billy Bussey, 304 E Reagan St, Frankston, TX 75763, the church of your
choice, or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University, Tyler, TX 75701.
Pauline Ritter 8/8/1922 -9/10/2007
Funeral services for Pauline Ritter, 85, of Jacksonville are set for
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. at Autry Funeral Home Chapel
with Rev. Ron Hart officiating. Burial will follow at Still Waters
Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Ritter was born on August 8, 1922 in Jacksonville, she died on
September 10, 2007 in Tyler. She was a retired secretary, homemaker and
attended the Lookout Valley Church of the Nazarene.
Mrs. Ritter was preceded in death by her parents; Jesse David & Mary
Jane Alexander Spraggins and her husband, D.J. Ritter.
Survivors include daughter; Kathi Smith, Jacksonville, a granddaughter;
Belinda Dodd, Plano, Texas, 3 brothers & sisters-in-law; Ottis & Lottie
Spraggins, J.D. & Pat Spraggins, & Jim & Janice Spraggins all of
Jacksonville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Rock Spraggins, Gary Tipton, Kenny Jones, David
Spraggins, Jimmy Spraggins & Anthony Constant.
Visitation will begin on Thursday, September 13, 2007 with family
receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.
Memorial Donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University
Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701.
Geneva Farmer 9/9/1920 -9/10/2007
Margaret Geneva Farmer passed away Sept. 10, 2007 in Jacksonville.
She was born on Sept. 9, 1920 in Dry Prong, to Fellix Dempsey Iles and
Alice Corine Wilmore.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Jack Benson Farmer of
Jacksonville; four children, her son Charles and Gail Farmer of Austin;
three daughters, Mary Alice and Chuck Larsen of Graham, Peggy and John
Ervin of Jacksonville and Marco Island, Fla., and Susan and Rocky
Paramore of Bastrop; seven grandchildren, Benson Larsen of Forney,
Jennifer Larsen of Rockwell, Jack Grimes of Austin, Leigh Christie of
Austin, Wendy Clark of Alto, Adam Grimes of Austin, and Benson Grimes of
Jacksonville; and 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Alfred Leroy and
Martha Iles, Pineville, La.; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is planning a memorial celebration of her life which will be
announced at a later date.
Maggie Ree Cofer 5/6/1914 -9/10/2007
Maggie Ree Cofer Maggie Ree Cofer, 93, of Arlington, died on Monday,
September 10, 2007 in Jacksonville, Texas.
Mrs. Cofer was born in Hastings, Oklahoma, May 6, 1914. She was a
Methodist and worked for Arlington ISD for 30 years.
She was preceeded in death by her husband, Ollie Henderson Cofer on
December 30, 2003.
Mrs. Cofer is survived by 2 daughters & a son-in-law; Mary and Eddie
Cauthron, Jacksonville and Emily Cofer, LaCombe, LA., grandsons; Ayres &
Austin Cauthron, and a sister; Dorcas Sitton, Cisco, TX., and several
nieces and nephews.
Memorial services are planned for 11 AM Monday, September 17, at the
First United Methodist Church, Arlington.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Violet "Susie" Aurora Pond 09/30/1921 -9/11/2007
Funeral services for Violet Aurora “Susie” Pond, 86, of Jacksonville
will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. in the Autry
Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ronny Hart officiating. Burial will follow
at Gossett’s Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Pond was born on July 30, 1921 in the Brushy Creek community. She
died on September 11, 2007 in Jacksonville. Mrs. Pond was a seamstress
and designed purses. She was a member of the Lookout Valley Church of
the Nazarene.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian Pond; grandson, Brandon
Hicks; brother, Joe Webb; and sister, Rosa Nell Jenkins.
Survivors include son & daughter-in-law, Walter & Janet Pond of
Rockdale; daughter and son-in-law Marilyn & Robert Russell of Lufkin;
grandchildren Duane Pond and D’Wayla Hicks; great-grandchildren Kyler
Erickson and Kolten Pond; brothers Donald Webb of Garland, Robert Webb
of Gatlin, TN, Cecil Webb of Trinity, William Webb of California, Jack
Webb of Dallas and Jerry Webb of Aurora, CA; sister, Betty Carsile of
Mont Bellview; several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Steve Grimes, Ryan McDaniel, Noland Scruggs, Rock
Spraggins, Jerry Scruggs, James Sides.
Visitation will begin on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 with family
receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Autry Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Alliance, 3613 S. Broadway, Tyler,
TX 75701, or the charity of choice.
Shirley Mae Dosser 10/25/1949 -9/15/2007
Funeral services for Shirley Dosser, 57, of Jacksonville will be held on
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. in the Autry Funeral Home
Chapel with Revs. Don Copeland and Terry Adair officiating. Burial will
follow at Mt. Comfort Cemetery in Maydelle.
Mrs. Dosser was born on October 25, 1949 in the Jacksonville. She died
on September 15, 2007 in Jacksonville. Mrs. Dosser was retired from Sand
Box Industries in Jacksonville after 35 years. She was a member of the
Craft Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Helen and John
Jeffery.
Survivors include her husband, Donald Dosser of Jacksonville, sons &
daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Paula Dosser of Mabank and Richard and
Vicki Dosser of Jacksonville; daughter Donna Dosser of Jacksonville; 10
grandchildren; brother Jesse Earl Jeffery of Jacksonville; sister, Joyce
Franklin of Jacksonville; several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Larry Dosser, Tommy Dosser, Jerry Don Norton, Wesley
Dosser, David Dosser, Clint Dosser, and Paul Dosser. With Honorary
Pallbearers: Ronny Norton, Richard Acord, and Edward Starling.
Visitation will begin on Monday, September 17, 2007 with family
receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Autry Funeral Home.
A special thanks to Hospice of East Texas and Vonda Dosser.
Betty Fern Wiggins 9/4/1933 -9/18/2007
Graveside services for Betty Fern Wiggins, 74, of Jacksonville, formerly
of Dallas, will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 4:00 PM. at
McDonald Cemetery, New Summerfield, with Wayne White officiating.
Mrs. Wiggins was born on September 4, 1933 in New Summerfield. She died
on September 18, 2007 in Jacksonville.
Mrs. Wiggins was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband; Thomas A. Wiggins, and her
parents; Roland & Annie Tankersley Casey.
Survivors include, a son; Charles T. Wiggins, Dallas, a daughter;
Rexanne Darisse, Mesquite, 3 grandchildren; Kristen Vines, Lynzee
Darisse and Melissa Alcala, 1 great-granddaughter; Isabel Perez,
sisters; Jo Horn, Jacksonville and Wanda Cunningham, Black Jack.
Wanda "Susie" Trantham 11/16/1944 -9/24/2007
Funeral services for Wanda “Susie” Trantham, 62, of Mt. Selman will
be held on Friday, September 28, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. in the Autry Funeral
Home Chapel with Bill Dollar officiating. Burial will follow at Mixon
Cemetery.
Mrs. Trantham was born on November 16, 1944 in the Jacksonville. She
died on September 24, 2007 in Tyler. Mrs. Trantham was a homemaker and
a Jehovah’s witness.
She was preceded in death by her husband; Tommy Earl Trantham, Sr. and
father, Delbert Thurman.
Survivors include her mother; Earlene Thurman of Mt. Selman, son; T.J.
Thurman, of Mt Selman, daughter; Tammy Trantham of Mt Selman, brother;
Sony Thurman of Mt Selman, daughter-in-law; Christi Trantham and 2
grandsons; Justin Michael Trantham & Cooper Earl Trantham.
Pallbearers will be Tony Villorin, Philip Garland, Jimmy Wilson, Steve
Allman, Shaphan Allman, Jeff Cochrane, Willie Nelson & Bryan Yackel.
Visitation will begin on Thursday, September 27, 2007 with family
receiving friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Autry Funeral Home.
