Esther Laverne Bedgood
August 26, 1931 – August 10, 2022
Esther Laverne Durbin Bedgood was born August 26, 1931, in Winn Parish La. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Calvin Durbin and Odessa Rushing Durbin, two sisters and one brother and loving husband of 48 years, Stevens Albert Bedgood.
She is survived by 2 daughters, Marilyn Walker (Jim), Susan Sullivent (Ray) and one son, Rodger Bedgood (Lori). She is also survived by her sister and constant companion, Betty Jean Green and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends.
Esther left for her forever home on August 10, 2022 just 16 days short of her 91st birthday and after being a good and faithful servant.
She has served as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, youth director, counselor and spiritual Mother to many. She loved to share her love for the Lord to everyone she encountered. She was a wonderful cook, seamstress and gardener. She took immense pride in her appearance and everything she did. While she enjoyed Being a Mary Kay Consultant for many years, she became known as THE MARY KAY LADY. We have been a very blessed family because of her constant love, support and prayers. She will be sorely missed until we are united again in our Heavenly home.
Friends may visit from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Sunday, August 14, 2022, at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 PM at Southern-Edmonds Chapel. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories in Jonesboro.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Jason Walker, Jonathan Bedgood, Phillip Walker, Eddie Simpson, Drew Maxwell, and Daniel Wyatt.
Ela Carson
3/28/1936 – 8/7/2022
Ela Mae Carson, age 86 of Hodge, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Glenwood Medical Center in West Monroe. Ela attended Sikes High School and later completed business college. She worked for thirty-six years in the accounting department at Stone Container in Hodge. Ela was an excellent mother and dedicated herself to her children. She loved her grandchildren unconditionally and enjoyed spending time with them.
Ela is survived by her daughter, Melinda (Carson) Butler and husband, Darren; son, Brandon Carson and wife, Olivia; grandchildren, Stilez Carson, Skyler Carson, Scout Carson and wife, Candy, Kaitlin McKinley, Austin McKinley; great Grandchild, Luna Ray Carson; and sister, Linda Bustin.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Carson, Sr.; son, Bobby Carson, Jr.; and mother, Lavern Sanders.
The funeral service was held in the Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Brian McAlister officiating. Burial followed in the Garden of Memories in Jonesboro under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers was Stilez Carson, Skyler Carson, Scout Carson, and Austin McKinley.
Shirley Elizabeth Parker
November 17, 1964 – August 6, 2022
Shirley Elizabeth (Branch) Parker, age 57 of Jonesboro, ascended to her Heavenly home on Saturday, August 6, 2022. She is a graduate of Bastrop High School and attended technical college afterwards. Shirley had many talents such as painting, being a seamstress and being well known for her mastery of cooking. She also had an eye for design and could hold her own in any situation. She is a beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. Shirley was a wonderful grandmother and absolutely loved to spend time with her grands and spoiling them any chance she could.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Amanda Hawthorne and Ryan, Leah Grace Hackett; grandchildren, Preston Hawthorne, Joseph Parker, Braylee Hawthorne, Laniyah Hackett, and Max Hawthorne; father, S.L. Branch; brothers, Darrell Leon Branch and Pam, James Douglas Branch and Linda, Brian Wade Branch and Carrie; aunts, Patty Harrell and Charles, Betty Morrow, Marie Stone. She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Isaac Ezell; mother, Dorothy Lee Brown.
Funeral services were held on Friday, August 12th in the Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel with participants Ryan Hawthorne and Robert Douglas Tyler officiating. Burial followed in Walnut Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers was Brian Branch, Darrell Branch, Jim Branch, Spencer Branch, Allen Brown and Robert Tonnang.
Geraldine Perry
December 11, 1931 – August 9, 2022
Geraldine (Brown) Perry “Dean”, age 90 of Jonesboro, walked through the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. She is a Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduate, class of 1950. Dean enjoyed crocheting and reading. She was a huge fan of watching sports, especially college basketball. Dean worked for many years at the papermill in Hodge before she became employed at Walmart in which she retired from after serving many years as a sales associate.
A private family graveside service was held in her honor on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at the Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Bro. Randy Dark officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Those left to cherish her memory is her brother, Kenneth Brown and Toni; sister, Barbara Warren; special nephew, Mark Warren; nieces, Susan Brown, Kathy Michaud; great nephews, Jeremy Warren, Justin Warren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Josie (Maxwell) Brown; nephew, Mike Brown.
