Melvin Carroll “Sonny” Watson
May 2, 1936 – June 17, 2023
Mr. Melvin Carroll Watson passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2023 in Jonesboro, Louisiana. He was 87 years old. “Sonny,” as he was known to his family and friends, was a residential and commercial painter for 60 plus years and was an avid fox hunter. He also enjoyed coaching slow-pitch softball over the years. Sonny especially loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. In his early years, Sonny played high school basketball and baseball and he participated in rodeos as a bareback rider.
Mr. Watson is survived by his son, Sonny Watson and wife, Stacey; daughter, Sabrina McDonald and husband, Nathan; grandchildren, Kristopher Watson (Anna), Marley Ammons (A.J.), Zach Watson (Jessica), Logan McDonald (Abbie), Landon McDonald; great-grandchildren, Isabella Ammons, Sawyer Ammons, Jack Watson, Molly Watson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Sue (Kelley) Watson; father, Elbert Jack Watson; mother, Vernice (Rowe) Watson; and sister, Lanelle (Watson) Nolley, infant sister, Sandra Ann Watson.
Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in the chapel, with Bro. Robert White officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion Rest Baptist Church Cemetery near Weston, under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Travis Reed, Don Reed, Matt Reed, Rodney Kelley, Mark Kelley and Keith Burns. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Kelley, Danny Kelley and Travis Caskey.
David Gene Humphrey
November 27, 1955 – June 16, 2023
David Gene Humphrey of Saline, Louisiana passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023 after a brief courageous cancer related battle. He was thought to have turned the corner on the road to recovery, however God had different plans.
Gene was born in Jonesboro, Louisiana on November 27, 1955 to Paul and Margie Humphrey. Above all else, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and his church family at Old Saline Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a deacon and treasurer for many years. He also enjoyed singing bass in the church choir and in quartets. He was gentle and quiet, but had the biggest and most caring heart.
Gene graduated from Saline High School and then earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Northwestern State University in 1977. He spent his entire professional career as a public educator in the Bienville Parish School System, teaching Trade and Industry at Shady Grove High School, Castor High School and Saline High School. After retiring in 2013, he loved living the simple life; working his daily puzzles, watching Jeopardy, gardening, working to restore his Chevy Nova and searching for automotive parts to sell at swap meets.
Gene was extremely talented with mechanical and fabrication skill along with an innovative imagination. He fabricated countless custom: toys, tools, race cars, trailers, and vehicles over the years. He built his first championship winning race car engine in 1973 as a senior in high school. He was also an accomplished circle track race car driver and earned numerous wins along with multiple track championships over the years. He always made sure all of his grandkids, nephews, and nieces had plenty of motorized toys to ride while growing up.
Gene was preceded in death by his father, Paul Humphrey. He is survived by his wife Gail Dement Humphrey, mother Margie Humphrey, brother Douglas Humphrey and wife Gail of Saline, brother, Ronnie Humphrey and wife Janice of Shreveport. Children include Chris and Shannon Fife of Sterlington, Matt and Kristi Fife of Sterlington, Leigh Ann and Nick Hamburg of West Monroe. Grandchildren include Otayia “Ty” Fife, Ariana Fife, Saphire Harris and Race, Sidney Harris and Nikki, and one great grandchild Daisy Harris. Nephews and nieces include, Tanya and Jeremy Paul of Ruston, Trent and Emily Humphrey of Haughton, Ryan and Amy Humphrey of Shreveport, Alyson Humphrey of Shreveport, Ashlin and Heath Thompson of Shreveport, seven great-nephews and one great-niece, and a host of family and friends.
The funeral service was on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Old Saline Baptist Church with Bro. Michael Reed officiating. Burial followed in Old Saline cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers were Donald Dement, Ronald Dement, Matt Fife, Ryan Humphrey, Trent Humphrey, Hudson Paul, Jeremy Paul, and Heath Thompson.
James Corbitt
October 5, 1943 – June 10, 2023
James William Corbitt, Jr passed away peacefully at Spring Oak Assisted Living in Warrenton, VA on June 10, 2023. Jim was born in Maryland on October 5, 1943 to James W. Corbitt, Sr. and Demma Ione Wafer Corbitt.
Jim graduated from William and Mary College in Williamsburg with a doctorate in Constitutional Law. Jim graduated in 1965 from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce. He then joined the US Army artillery and served in Vietnam. Afterward he entered the College of William and Mary School of Law and earned his JD degree in 1971.
Jim worked as an attorney for the US Department of the Treasury. He loved to travel and was a train enthusiast. He traveled all over the world on the antique trains that he adored so much. He collected trains of all types and was a member of multiple railroad societies.
Jim will be especially remembered for his kind, non-judgmental and positive outlook on everything. Anyone who knew Jim also knows how attentive he was to his mother after his father’s death up until she passed at the age of 99.
Those left to cherish his memory are his cousins, Audry and Rebecca Jemerson of Saline, Dr. James Ed Barron D.D.S. and Judy of Monroe, Carolyn Kirkpatrick of Epps, Gloria Sue Williams of Macon, Georgie, Cerry and Hein Sanderlin of Houston, Texas. His train traveling, lifetime friend, Jack Feldman; special friend and caregiver, Carolyn Singleton of Virginia; friends and neighbors, Billy and Jackie Lewis. He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. Sr. and Demma (Wafer) Corbitt.
The family would like to extend a special, love-filled thank you to his faithful and devoted friend, Carolyn Singleton for all the loving care she provided Jim up until he drew his last breath. A special thank you to the wonderful neighbors, Billy and Jackie Lewis, that took care of everything while Jim was away; you have been such a blessing. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Heartland Hospice and also to the staff at Spring Oak Assisted Living for all of the support, kindness, and care given to Jim over the past months.
His family will hold a memorial service on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 2:00pm in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
