Martha Farrar Frankum

Martha Farrar Mathis Frankum, age 88, of La Porte, Texas, passed away with family in Texarkana following a brief illness on February 10, 2014. She was born October 7, 1925, in Dallas, TX to the late William Theodore and Selma Fairchild Mathis. She was married to Wilbur Ray Frankum on September 13, 1943.  Ray preceded Martha in March of 1986. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, William Richard Frankum, daughter, Linda Ray Frankum, sisters, Maudie and Isabel, brothers, Dewitt Mathis, Calvin Mathis and William “Bill” Mathis. Martha enjoyed gardening and plants. Martha and Ray owned an antique shop and enjoyed many years of buying and selling antiques. They were avid bowlers, winning several tournaments. Martha also owned an upholstery shop for over twenty years. She loved to travel, play dominoes and was an avid Dallas Cowboys’ Fan.  Martha was a member of La Porte Second Baptist Church in La Porte. Visitation was held on Thursday evening, February 13th at Wharton Funeral Home, with the funeral service held on Friday February 14, 2014 at 10 am at Wharton Funeral Home with Rev. Rick DuBroc officiating. Burial followed at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Survivors include her daughters, Jeanette Stewart and husband, Billy of Henderson, TX, Barbara Watson and husband, Chuck of Latexo, TX, Debbie Frankum Neely and husband, Steve of Texarkana, Arkansas, Patricia “ Tot” Cummings of DeRidder, LA, Rhonda Frankum of Texarkana, TX, son, Danny Frankum and wife, Denise of Hardin, TX, and son in law, Jay Hennigan of DeRidder, La, 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Serving as Pallbearers were Dylan Barrett, Jason Ethridge, Jacob Hansen, Jeremy Harris, Steven Cummings, Christopher Gubanski, Joshua Hansen and Joe Harris. Funeral services were under the direction of the Wharton Funeral Home.