Frankie McWhorter

Services for Frankie McWhorter, 76, of Higgins, Texas, will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at the Higgins High School Auditorium with David Jenkins, officiating. Burial will follow in Higgins Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, Texas. Mr. McWhorter passed away Saturday, February 2, 2008 in Higgins, Texas. Frankie was born on June 13, 1931 in Memphis, Texas to Mrs. Evelyn Tucker McWhorter and the late Mr. John McWhorter. He attended grammar school and high school in Memphis, Texas. He was a Veteran of the United States Army. He moved to Lipscomb County in 1963 from Memphis, Texas. He worked as a foreman for the Cooper Ranch from 1984 until retiring in 2002. He married Virginia Salamino on December 30, 1989 in Higgins, TX. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 509, Masonic Lodge # 820, Eastern Star # 300 all in Higgins, TX. Frankie was inducted into the Western Swing Society in 1987 in Sacramento, CA. In 1999 he won the Western Music and all around Cowboy Culture Award, at the Lubbock Symposium. In 2005, he won the Will Rogers Range Riders Award and at sometime he was also inducted into the Nebraska Western Swing Hall of Fame. He was inducted in Western Swing Music Society of Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2004 and numerous other awards. Having several of his own bands and playing for dances he always drew a crowd. The last band he was playing with was the Thomas Country Opera. He was preceded in death by one son, Larry McWhorter, one brother, Joe David McWhorter, two sisters, Betty New and Johnnie Bice and one grandson, Heath Bishop. He is survived by his wife, Virginia McWhorter of Higgins, TX; one son, Sammy McWhorter and wife Bonnie of Bastrop, TX; one daughter, Denise Lackey and husband Gary of Keller, TX; his mother, Evelyn McWhorter of Lela, TX; two brothers, Gary McWhorter of Lela, TX; Keith McWhorter and wife Barbara of Panhandle, TX; six grandchildren, Amanda Farrington of Austin, TX; Kimberley McWhorter of Rogers, AR; Shelby McWhorter, Bailey McWhorter and Macey McWhorter all of Bastrop, TX; Abi McWhorter of Illiff, CO; one great-granddaughter, Shyra Bishop of San Angelo, TX. The family suggests memorials to your favorite charity.