Maria Frakes

Maria Lilia “Lil” Frakes was born on April 11, 1937. She passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026, just after 5 p.m., surrounded by the love of her family on the front porch in the country, where two cardinals sang and the grandchildren’s dogs played nearby.

Lil met the love of her life, David L. Frakes, while waitressing at a soda shop. After a double date, the two knew it was love. Excited to begin their life together, they were married on March 13, 1954. Lil and David became the proud parents of three children: David, Penelope, and James. They built a life together on Hartwick in Houston, Texas, where their home became the center of many cherished family memories.

Though Lil loved volunteering, crafting, and helping others, her favorite role was being a grandmother. She treasured time with her grandchildren and loved teaching them to care for others by taking them to volunteer at Jesse Jones Park and local nursing homes. They also enjoyed trips to the zoo: complete with train rides and Grandma’s packed picnics as well as visits to many of Houston’s museums, including the Children’s Museum, the Health Museum, and the Museum of Natural Science.

Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Hartwick held many special memories: family dinners, walks to the bayou, cinnamon toast breakfasts, watching The Golden Girls, and sitting side by side working on crosswords or crafts. These everyday moments were her love language, creating bonds that will never fade.

Lil lived a life defined by compassion, strength, and generosity. As a nurse, she dedicated herself to caring for others, offering comfort and kindness in moments that mattered most. As a teacher, she advocated for the children in her classroom as if they were her own. She carried that same giving spirit into her everyday life, always finding ways to give back: through volunteering, friendship, and simply being a thoughtful and dependable neighbor. Lil also expressed her love and creativity through beadwork and sewing. With steady hands and a patient heart, she crafted pieces that will remain treasured reminders of her talent and care.

To know Lil was to know honesty. She had a “tell it like it is” nature that people respected and appreciated, always rooted in love and sincerity. Just as importantly, she was a wonderful listener- someone who would sit with you, hear you out, and make you feel valued, even when she didn’t quite agree.

In her later years, Lil moved out to the country where she lived alongside her granddaughters (Stephanie and Autumn), great-grandchildren (Gabbie, Alexis, Brianna, Dominick, MaKayla, Daysi, and Eli), and great-great-grandsons (Tucker and Trace). She loved being outdoors in Huntsville, TX: feeding the birds, walking laps around the circle, watching the kids get on and off the bus, and even serving as the occasional school chauffeur. She volunteered in the elementary school library and enjoyed story time at Chick-fil-A. She enjoyed dinner dates with her #1, Dominick, who carried on his grandpa’s tradition of spoiling his SWEETIE! She also loved family vacations and holidays with James and his family, and she visited wonderful places like Disney, San Diego, Branson, and Memphis. The true legacy to see 5 generations living out life together!

Maria Frakes was preceded in death by her husband, David L. Frakes; her daughter, Penelope LaVerne; and her daughter-in-law, Gweneth Ancelet, whom she now joins again in Heaven.

She is survived by her sons, David Frakes and James Frakes (wife, Jennifer), and her son-in-law, Alvin LaVerne. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Brandon (Bevin), Shannon (Chris), Devon (Josh), Michelle (David), Stephanie (Justyn), Autumn (Shawn), and Ashley (Justin); 19 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandsons.

Above all, Lil was deeply loved. Her presence brought comfort, her words brought truth, and her life brought meaning to so many. While her passing leaves an immeasurable void, her legacy of love, service, and strength will continue through the family she cherished and the many lives she touched.

Her family will forever hold close the simple, beautiful memories they shared. She will be missed beyond words and remembered always. And in the words of our grandpa, “ LOVE YOU SWEETIE!”

True to a lifetime of generosity, Lil chose to donate their body to the Baylor School of Medicine of Houston, TX - Willed Body Program to help further education and research.

A memorial contribution may be made with a check payable to Baylor College of Medicine. Please designate the Anatomical Gift Fund as recipient and include the name of the person in whose memory the contribution is being made. Your check should be sent to:

Division of Anatomical Sciences
Baylor College of Medicine
1 Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop 130
Houston, TX 77030