Born in Houston, Texas, Frankie later moved to Austin, where she spent most of her life and built a distinguished career in public service. She attended Jefferson Davis High School in Houston before earning her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Houston in 1969. She continued her studies at the University of Houston Law Center, where she earned her Juris Doctor and graduated cum laude in 1972.
Frankie devoted more than five decades to serving the people of Texas as an Assistant Attorney General. During her remarkable career, she served under seven Texas Attorneys General.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Sumner Lester, and her sister, Phyllis Virginia Vanderford.
Frankie is survived by her son, John L. Vanderford; her daughter-in-law, Karleigh D. Vanderford; her granddaughter, Eleanor B. Vanderford; and her brothers, Larry J. Vanderford and Delbert E. Vanderford Jr.
Frankie will be remembered for her tenacity, intellect, work ethic, and, most of all, the wry sense of humor she shared with her family and friends.
