Mrs. Frankie Louise Compton Schexnayder "She could teach a stump to act!"said a competing drama teacher when the Sabine Pass High School cast won yet another State One-Act Play award. Mrs. Frankie C. Schexnayder's students consistently won play contests year after year. After a rare loss, she said, "You have not lost when you give your best, and you gave your best today. It no longer matters what the judge has to say." Her community honors include being named "Teacher of the Year" and having the auditorium named for her. TV's "Extreme Makeover" team came in to rebuild it following Hurricane Rita. More recently, the entire structure was rebuilt following Hurricane Ike. It is now included in a classroom building which still proudly proclaims her name above the door to the auditorium. A graduate of French High School and Lamar University, she earned a Master's Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University whose Theatre Department named her their first Distinguished Alumnus. Among the many classes she taught were home economics and business. She was so determined that her students would learn that one frustrated typing student said, "Mrs. Shake. All you need is a whip and a chair!" Business students placed in UIL contests including one who placed at the state typing contest. Boys in sewing classes learned how to assemble vests in a community known for its duck hunting and fishing. Also, she helped the yearbook staff with their photography. Her career was interrupted when her son, Mark, became ill, requiring her constant care. Later, she returned part-time to assist with coaching the One-Act Plays. Afterwards, she assumed the role of secretary for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Port Neches and was instrumental in a assembling a history/cookbook, Feeding the Flock. Active in the Altar Guild and quilting, she continued these activities at Trinity Episcopal Church in The Woodlands. Her new location made accessible downtown Houston's "Theatre Under the Stars," the Houston Symphony, "Broadway Across America," and theatres in Conroe and Huntsville. She became hooked on NASCAR because of her son, Mark, who later became her chauffeur/caregiver for frequent trips to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He called his opportunity "payback time." She died on December 3, 2010. A longtime resident of Port Neches, TX, she was born in Beaumont to Oscar Franklin Compton and Roxie Compton on September 13, 1935. Survivors include her sister, Georgia Feldman Pryor of Beaumont, and sons, Mark of The Woodlands and Mike of Melbourne, FL. Mike and Lynn have four children: Michael J., Mary Ann, Carol and Patrick. Mrs. Schexnayder, "The Meem," was included in many of their travels. It's evident they inherited her zest for living and laughing. Frankie was preceded in death by her husband Harris and her sister, Dorothy Aldridge. The Very Reverend Cliff Rucker will conduct a memorial service in Port Neches, TX, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 2425 Nall Street on December 21, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made for a theatre scholarship at Stephen F. Austin State University, P.O. Box 6092 SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962.
