Travis Dale Brown
April 23, 1958 – October 24, 2022
Dale was born April 23, 1958, and passed from this life October 24, 2022, at the age of 64. He was an active member of Jonesboro Hodge United Methodist Church, he loved his dogs and enjoyed fishing and gardening.
He is preceded in death by his father, Travis Dale Brown, Sr.
Those left to cherish his memory include his sister, Dawn Brown and mother, Anna Brown; Also survived by very special friends, Howard Stucky and wife, Brenda, and a host of extended family and friends.
A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Shannon Kramer
February 2, 1962 – October 25, 2022
Shannon Mischelle (Smith) Kramer passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at her residence in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Shannon gave her life to the LORD almost 18 years ago. She faithfully attended her church, Jonesboro Assembly of God until she became ill. She was employed as a custodian there as well.
Shannon and her husband, Bruce enjoyed canoeing on rivers and streams all over the South. She had a special fondness for cats and loved to garden and take care of her plants. Shannon was also an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing special dishes whenever she could.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bruce A. Kramer; children, Meggon Kramer Massey and Robert, Amanda Jo Kramer Thornton, MacKenzie Kramer Wheeler and Michael; grandchildren, Kylie Ann Kramer, Zoie Leigh Kramer, Drake Thornton, Lily Thornton, Tristan Church, and McKinly Cook.
Shannon was preceded in death by her parents, Troy L. and Eddith Joy (Stuckey) Smith; sister, Terri L. Smith; brother, Kevin L. Smith; maternal grandparents, Gordon and Clotile Stuckey; and paternal grandparents, Leon and Iris Smith.
Funeral services were held on Friday, October 28th with Bro. David Walsworth and Bro. Wayne Morrow officiating. Burial followed at the Hodge United Methodist Cemetery under the direction of Southern Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.
Serving the family as pallbearers were Danny Young, Michael Wheeler, Robert Massey, Clay Smith, and Michael Kramer.
Patricia Anne “Patti” Womack
1948 – 2022
Patti Womack, age 74, of Jonesboro, LA went to her heavenly home on October 26, 2022
She is survived by her husband; Robert B. “Buddy” Womack, two daughters, Misty Everett and husband Darryl, and Jeanie Womack; two sons, Jason Womack and wife Jessie, and John Aldy and wife Alleisha; five grandchildren, Timothy Everett and wife Caroline, Robert Everett, Blaine Womack and wife Kaitlyn, Bailey Womack, and Ashley Riddle and husband Dalton; one great grandchild, Jaicee Isabella Barber; two brothers, Jerry Aldy and wife Linda, and David Aldy and wife Roxie.
She was also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and other family.
Patti was preceded in death by her parents, Buddy and Imogene Aldy; one brother, Larry Steven Aldy; and one daughter, Mary Ann Womack.
Graveside services were held Friday, October 28th at Sweetwater Cemetery in Quitman, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Ralph “Blackie” Booker
July 7, 1941 – October 26, 2022
Ralph “Blackie” Booker was the first born of the late Charlie Booker and Dorothy Ford Booker Grogan on July 7, 1941. He spent his formative years in the home of his grandmother Mrs. Lula Rushing in Hodge, Louisiana. Ralph attended Jackson Parish schools and graduated in 1959 from Jackson High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana.
After graduation he attended Grambling College. He worked for Continental Can Company (now West Rock), the railroad company, worked as a truck driver, worked for Pine Belt multipurpose agency and finally for the Jackson Parish Correctional Facility in Jonesboro, Louisiana. He united with the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Nash. As an adult he became the van driver for the church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, grandmother, brother, Montez Booker, and sister, Gloria Booker.
He leaves to cherish his memory his caretaker and sister Cheryl B. Qualls, sister, Karen Bethune and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and very special friend Ethel Brown.
Funeral services were held at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Est Hodge, LA on Saturday, October 29th under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Kenneth L. Knotts
May 12, 1937 – October 24, 2022
The model of a self-made man, we were privileged to have him in our lives. Kenneth L. Knotts, Sr., PhD, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2022. Known by many as Larry, he was born May 12, 1937, near Ashland, in the Punkin Center Community. Son of Welborn Clifton “Cliff” and Irene Knotts, Larry graduated Valedictorian of his Ashland High School Class of 1955.
On May 12, 1955, Larry celebrated his 18 th birthday, graduated from high school, and volunteered for the U.S. Air Force. He entered Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, distinguished himself as Flight Guide, and was selected to attend Air Force Intelligence School, from which he graduated at the top of his class. Early in his career, at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.
Larry helped to plan some of the earliest Air Force bombing missions over Vietnam. In October, 1962, while at Barksdale AFB, he and other critical staff helped to direct operations during the 13-day Cuban Missile Crisis. Afterwards, at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, he received his Bachelors’, Masters’, and ultimately a Doctorate in Political Science. Considered by
many as one of the school’s top instructors, he taught for 20 years, and retired in 1988.
In his “retirement,” Larry went on to do more for his community and region than many men do in a lifetime. He led Bienville Parish Ward Seven’s campaign to form a Volunteer Fire Department, then served as District Fire Chief for many years. Considering a good education a high priority, he served many years as Ward Seven’s School Board member, setting a statewide record for the number of terms in office. He also became a self-taught gunsmith and continued that work until his death.
Of all the things in his life, Larry was proudest of his family. He is survived by son Kenneth Larry Knotts Jr., wife, Elizabeth Thompson, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; son, Kerry Louis Knotts of Alexandria, Louisiana; daughter Kelley Louise Ranches, husband, Brandon, of Meadville, Mississippi; and son, Karl Logan Knotts, wife, Devon, of Benton, Louisiana; grandchildren
Kathryn Lynn Knotts Simms, of Pickerington, Ohio; Krista Lynn and Brandon Lee Ranches, Jr of Meadville; Levi Michael and Jackson Logan Knotts of Benton; and Chester Kenneth Thompson-Knotts of Plattsmouth; and great-granddaughters, Kenna Lynn and Madilyn Ada Simms of Pickerington.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Betty Jean Cheatwood Knotts; by their darling daughter, Kirsten Lynn; his parents, Cliff and Irene; and sisters Azelle Knotts, Onetha Woodard, and Ila Lovell. He is survived by sisters Mary Oleta Bown of Ashland, and Iva Jarriett of Ashland.
A memorial service was held at Old Saline Baptist Church in Saline LA on Saturday, October 29, 2022 with Jerry Martin officiating. A private family graveside service followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Joensboro.