Maxine Watkins
January 7, 1929 – November 27, 2024
Annie Maxine (Blackmon) Watkins passed away on November 27, 2024 in Arcadia, Louisiana. She was 95 years old. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. Her life was devoted to her husband of 59 years, Lyman “Red” Watkins and son, Keith. That devotion was carried on to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and others. Maxine was a member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro before she moved to Athens, Louisiana. She enjoyed cooking, and her family says that no other cooking compared to hers. Maxine and Red loved fishing and camping and enjoyed the fellowship they shared with friends in their camper clubs.
Maxine was one-of-a-kind; a true gem. She showed warmth and kindness, laughter and love, and she celebrated all successes. She had the wisdom of a teacher and was a sincere and true friend. Along with her love and kindness, Maxine had a sense of humor, spunk and sass. To say the least, she kept her family and friends entertained. She was a remarkable woman – simply the best.
Maxine is survived by her son, Keith Watkins & wife Cindy of Athens, Louisiana; granddaughter, Michaela Howell & husband Chad of Mandeville, Louisiana; grandson, Justin Watkins & wife Elizabeth of Minden, Louisiana; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Red Watkins; parents, William Henry & Blanche (Whitley) Blackmon; grandson, Jeremy Watkins; sisters, Louise Blackmon, Nell Gassman, Marzelle Tolar and Arline Bryant.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, from 10:00 AM until time for the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Bro. Eddie Balance will officiate. Burial will be in Gayla Traina Cemetery in Jonesboro.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Eddie Gatlin, Andy Brown, Donnie Freeman, Randy Layfield, David Aldy and Carl Atkins.
Bryan Keith Hall
November 2, 1967 – November 26, 2024
Following visitation from 1:00 – 2:00pm, a memorial service for Bryan Keith Hall, age 57 of Shreveport, LA, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Hodge Baptist Church in Hodge, LA, with Rev. Norris Curry officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date. Funeral and future burial are under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Bryan was born November 2, 1967, to Travis and Mary Ann Hall. He passed suddenly on November 26, 2024. He was a member of Hodge Baptist Church until 2011 when he moved his membership to First Baptist Haughton and remained there until the present time.
Bryan served in the US Army as a Military Police Officer in Germany until receiving an honorable discharge. After returning home he pursued a career in nursing, earning his degree from Northwestern State University School of Nursing. He served in this position for several years having great compassion for the patients he was in care of. Bryan spent his free time in nature enjoying both hunting and fishing. Another favorite past time was taking his son, Mason, to various sporting events.
Bryan was preceded in death by his father, Travis N. Hall; his paternal grandparents, Leland and Irma Hall; and his maternal grandparents, Otis and Miriam King. Bryan is survived by his son, Mason Keith Hall, of Shreveport, La; mother Mary Ann Hall, of Hodge, LA; brother, Mike Hall, of Quitman, LA; sister Kathy Kelley (husband Earl) of Whitehouse, TX; Nephews Nathan Kelley (wife Cherie) of Tyler, Tx; David Kelley (wife Kelli) of Tyler, Tx; Niece Megan Crissey (husband Jonathan) of Flint, TX; as well as several great nieces and one great nephew.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Whitney and Tedy Pesnell of Shreveport, LA for extending kindness to Bryan and Mason by opening their home and providing care to them over the past year and half.
Bryan will be greatly missed by his family who loved him deeply and the many friends who knew him and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hodge Baptist Church, P.O. Box 340, Hodge, LA 71247.