Frankie Rownd

Frankie Elizabeth Flournoy Selman Rownd, 94, went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 21, 2017. Frankie was born September 14, 1923, in Vernon, Texas, to Grady Flournoy and Stella Allen Flournoy. Shortly after, the family moved their family farm near Winnsboro, Texas. Frankie grew up happily on the farm with her brother, Glen, and her sister Grace, both of whom have predeceased her, and her surviving sister, Marcelle Ordogne of Morgan City, Louisiana. Frankie graduated from Winnsboro High School at age 16 in 1940. Frankie had the honor of attending her 70th class reunion of Winnsboro High School in 2010. After graduation in 1940, Frankie moved to Palestine to live with her aunt and uncle. She immediately enrolled in Nixon Business College which began her life-long endeavor to excel in business activities such as executive secretary to presidents of corporations and she eventually became an oil lease analyst (landman) for major oil companies. In 1942, Frankie married Lloyd G. Selman from Palestine and their union lasted until his untimely passing at age 52. Frankie and Lloyd had two children, Saundra and Sharon and the family lived in Palestine and Houston while Lloyd was employed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad as secretary to the General Manager. In 1971, she married Robert McKee Rownd, IV, a chemical engineer from Ripley, New York. They were happily married for 46 years until her death. Following their marriage they resided in Houston where Frankie began her successful career as an oil lease analyst for several oil and gas companies. Frankie was the exception to the rule that a "landman" position required a college degree. She quickly rose to supervisory positions at Anadarko Petroleum and Michigan Wisconsin Corporation, the company that transferred Frankie to their office in Denver, Colorado. Bob found a job with a mining company in the Denver area and they lived there for 10 years. Frankie and Bob enjoyed great skiing in Colorado. Her children, Saundra and Sharon along with her grandchildren, regularly visited Frankie and Bob's home in Colorado to go skiing during Spring Break and Christmas each year. Frankie had incredible memories of those visits; so many great times while skiing the mountains of Colorado. In 1989, due to the high altitudes causing Frankie to have breathing problems, they moved to April Sound on Lake Conroe where they lived for 26 years. Frankie and Bob thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years on Lake Conroe and staying busy playing golf and other community activities. In addition, they traveled extensively throughout the world on cruise ships and at one time, Frankie remarked that they had almost run out of new places to travel. In March 2016, due to Frankie's failing health, they moved to Windermere in Palestine in order to be close to her daughter, Sharon. Frankie is survived by her husband, Robert McKee Rownd, IV, her sister, Marcell Flournoy Ordogne of Morgan City, Louisiana and her two daughters Saundra (Thomas E. Cook, III) of Galveston and Sharon (Phil Jenkins) of Palestine; grandchildren Thomas E. Cook, IV (Nathalie) of Houston, Paige Cook Bloodworth (Greg) of Atlanta, Georgia, Amie Jenkins Kitt (Parris) of Tyler, Courtney Jenkins Griffin (David) of Sunnyvale, and Kelly Jenkins Howard (Jeb) of Henderson. Her great grandchildren are Thomas Cook, V, and McKenzie Cook of Houston, Phillip Kitt, Alec Kitt, and Anna Kitt of Tyler, Jordan Griffin, Luke Griffin, Sarah Griffin, Ben Griffin and Paul Griffin of Sunnyvale, Anna Howard, Lane Howard, and Hattie Howard of Henderson. Frankie was a woman of real presence, keen intelligence, and quiet strength. Her family will always treasure their memories of her. The family is grateful for the staff at Windermere for their kindness and caring during Frankie's last days. Services and celebration of Frankie's life will be held Friday, November 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at First United Methodist Church, 422 South Magnolia in the Sanctuary. Interment to follow at Old City Cemetery, Palestine. Frankie has been a member of this church since 1958. Services are in care of Bailey and Foster Funeral Home. Pallbearers are as follows: Greg Bloodworth, Mac Bloodworth, Thomas Cook V, Parris Kitt, Phillip Kitt, Alec Kitt, and Jeb Howard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to "Methodist Mission Weekend" at First United Methodist Church, 422 South Magnolia, Palestine, Texas, 75801, or a charity of your choice. To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com.