louise Rasberry Feb. 01, 1929 – Dec. 11, 2020
Elouise Rasberry, who was born February 1st. 1929 to Arnold and Effie Shows in Eudora, Arkansas passed away peacefully the morning of December 11th at the age of 91. She grew up in the Weston community of Jackson Parish where she attended high school. While attending a Weston High School basketball game she met a handsome young sailor, our dad, who was home on leave during the war, James Rasberry, who would become the love of her life and soul mate for the next sixty-eight years. They married in 1946, started a family and had three children together.
They resided in Jonesboro where James worked at the Paper Mill for forty years and attended McDonald Memorial Baptist Church which became their extended family. Elouise became a very accomplished seamstress and made many of our family’s clothes. She was the type of Mother that loved unconditionally and never saw anything but the side good of her children and would defend us to the end with a vengeance. She loved going any place and doing anything that involved James Rasberry. He was the light of her life.
When he retired from the papermill they spent the next twenty-five years traveling and camping in their travel trailer spending time with their many old as well as new found friends in the camp grounds, especially at Caney Lake. On July 20th 2015 a part of Elouise died with James. Her sadness extended well past the normal time one would grieve for a lost spouse. Even though she shared as much love as she had with her newfound puppy, Molly, she never seemed to move past the loss of our Dad. On Friday around noon she found relief from her sadness and loss as she slipped away to be with him once again. She will be sorely missed.
She left behind three children, Diane Rasberry of Monroe, Linda Blackstock and husband Ray of Jonesboro and James A. Rasberry and wife Debra of Monroe. Five grandchildren of which are Chris Ayres and wife Cari of Shreveport, Pat Posey and wife Cristy of Jonesboro, Dana Ingram and husband Jeff of Jonesboro, Scarlett Boles and husband Bill of Monroe and Sierra Rasberry of Monroe. She also had six great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
A walk through visitation period was held at Edmond’s Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Monday the 14th followed by a graveside service at the Garden of Memories Cemetery. A special thanks to Charlene Cavett for her loving kindness to our Mother during her final days.
Merle Keith Rhodes Nov. 22, 1930 – Dec. 10, 2020
Mr. Keith Rhodes, age 90 of Chatham, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 10, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlie and Edna (Dickerson) Rhodes; brother, Lynwood Rhodes; brothers-in-law, Rudolph Tarver, D.R. Avery.
Those left to cherish is memory is his loving wife, Carolyn (Avery) Rhodes; son, Russell Rhodes and Sandra; grandchildren, William R. Rhodes and Lacey, Elijah R. Rhodes and Ashley, Avery R. Rhodes and Heather; great grandchildren, Aiden, Asher, Audrey, Aleck, Ella; sister, Nadine Tarver.
Visitation was held on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Ebenezer Baptist Church by funeral services with Brother Russell Rhodes and Brother Chris Lee officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. Serving the family as pallbearers were William Rhodes, Elijah Rhodes, Avery Rhodes, Darrell Avery, David Avery, Brad Cresse.