Dale Hobson
August 31, 1949 – December 20, 2024
Dale Hobson, 75, passed away at Jackson Parish Hospital on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. He graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in 1968 and played the trombone in the band. He was in the Army National Guard for 6 years and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. He received his B.S. degree in Physical Education in 1973 and his M.S. degree in 1974. He was the YMCA director in Shreveport from 1974 to 1976. They moved back to Jackson Parish and he worked for 30 years at Smurfit-Stone container as a paper maker before retiring in 2006. He loved singing bass in the Sweetwater choir. He was married to Gayle Brown Hobson for 52 years. They have two children Kevin and Kelly.
He loved watching all sports on TV, especially football, unless his team started losing then he would change the channel. He enjoyed cooking. The grandkids would always say, “I want some of Papaw’s chili. They also liked to watch Wheel of Fortune and see who could solve the puzzle first. The Disney movies were a blessing since it kept all of them still and quiet except for a few crumbs and candy wrappers. He also loved to go outdoors and show them how he could do a hand stand and walk on his hands.
Survivors include his wife, Gayle; daughter, Kelly Hobson; sister, Diane Clark; brother, Al Hobson, Jr.(Emily); 6 grandchildren: Kylie, Zoie (Joshua), Mckenzie, Dustin, Riley and Anna; 3 great-grandchildren Nevaeh, Nova and Easton.
He was preceded in death by their son, Kevin Hobson; father, Albert L. Hobson, Sr.; mother, Geneva Wells Hobson and brother-in-law, George Clark.
The funeral was held on Friday, Dec. 27 from 1:30-3:00 at Sweetwater Baptist Church, 5638 Beech Springs Road, Quitman, Louisiana with Bro. Stuart Toms and Dr. Wilton Wall, III officiating. Burial followed in the Sweetwater Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Pallbearers were Trey Hobson, David Hobson, Heath Brown, Caden Brown, Joshua Knight, Logan Hobson and Parker Blundell.
Betty Sue Bolls
July 6, 1932 – December 21, 2024
Betty Sue (Davis) Bolls passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Forest Haven Nursing Home. She was 92 years old. Betty was a seamstress and operated her business out of her home for many years. Later, she became the lunchroom supervisor at Jonesboro-Hodge High School. Betty loved working in her yard and gardening. She was a member of Center Point Baptist in Jonesboro where she loved singing in the choir.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Julia Johns; granddaughters, Jessica Bradford (William) and Hope Harville; sister, Luda Elaska Norred; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Bolls; father, Jesse E. Davis; and mother, Frances (Walsworth) Davis.
A graveside service was held at Jonesboro Cemetery with Bro. David Essmeier officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.
Mickel Wilson
April 11, 1950 – December 20, 2024
Mickel Wilson, age 74 of Chatham, was called home on Friday, December 20, 2024. Mickel was a man of the world. He dedicated his life to working with, training and trading horses. He worked leather and made various items such as head gear for elephants to saddles for horses. He enjoyed raising small birds and was very talented when it came to making beautiful flower arrangements. Needless to say, he was a Jack of All trades. Mickel loved to keep his hands busy and during the holidays he would keep busy making and delivering food baskets to people in his community. He has held many positions in his community also. He was the Chief of Police in Chatham and was city councilman in Chatham for many years; even running unopposed for a couple of those terms. Mickel has lived just about anywhere from Canada to Florida. No matter where he was he carried his family and friends with him in his heart.
Those left to cherish his memory is former wife, Pauline Wilson; step-daughter, Maria Ayala (Jose); grandchildren, Jose Ayala, Elizabeth Ayala, Andy Ayala, Brandon Ayala; great grandchildren, Mercury Ayala, Victoria Ayala, Bruno Loyal, Jake Ayala; brothers, J.D. Wilson (Katye), David Wilson (Felice); sister in law, Linda Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jonny and Oneta (McMurray) Wilson; brothers, Ernest Wilson and Ricky Wilson.
A memorial service is set for Sunday, December 29, 2024 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home at 2:00PM with Bro. Russell Rhodes officiating.
Gerald David Maxwell
June 3, 1941 – December 20, 2024
Gerald David Maxwell passed away at his residence on December 20, 2024. He was 83 years old. David served proudly in the United States Navy. He worked for 40 years at Stone Container in Hodge as a paper maker. David was an avid shooter and a photography enthusiast. He was also a collector of good deals!
David leaves behind his brother, Paul K. Maxwell; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Riley and Mary (Roden) Maxwell; sister, Susan Maxwell Giddens; brother, Ray Maxwell, Jr.; nephew, Mathew B. Maxwell; and great niece, Cassey Marie Price.
The funeral service was held on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Larry Carr officiating. Burial followed in the Old Bethel Cemetery on Nine Pine Road near Jonesboro under the direction of Southern-Edmond Funeral Home in Jonesboro
Serving the family as pallbearers was Waylon Price, David Hall, Duane Price, Scott Hall, Jeff Davis and Anthony Giddens. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Davis, Kagen Davis and Grant Giddons.
Helen (Johnson) Leslie
December 15, 1927 – December 24, 2024
Helen Johnson Leslie, born on December 15, 1927, in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, passed away on December 24, 2024. She was a dedicated social worker for the Louisiana State Department of Health and Human Services and served as a beloved teacher at Saline High School, positively impacting the lives of countless people throughout her career.
A long-time member of Strange Methodist Church, Helen actively participated in her community for many years, where she cultivated lasting relationships and shared her passion for service. Helen graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where her commitment to helping others blossomed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Sidney and Annie Zylphia Johnson; her spouse William D. “Bill” Leslie and former spouse Durwood Nails; her sister Laura Katherine Dyball and brother-in-law Joe Dyball; as well as her brother Richard Johnson and brothers-in-law Curtis Dison and J.D. Ables.
She is survived by her cherished family including daughter, Professor Debra Nails of Mount Freedom, New Jersey, and son-in-law William Levitan; her son Russell D. Nails of Saline, Louisiana; granddaughter Abigail Nails and her spouse Kyle McEntee; and grandson Brady Nails and his spouse Tori Nails. Additionally, Helen leaves behind her loving sisters Lottie Dison and Carol Ables; her brother Harold Joe Johnson and sister-in-law Barbara Johnson; and sister-in-law Bobbie Johnson.
Helen was a beloved and active member of her community, touching the lives of many, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services were held at Strange Methodist Church in Saline on December 28th. with burial following under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Pallbearers included nephews and grandnephews: Dr. Brad Johnson (Honorary), Jarod Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kenny Johnson, Jerry Dison, Reggie Ables (Honorary), Jeremy Ables (Honorary), Josh Johnson, Jake Johnson, Justin Fairchild, and Mitchell Snead.
Helen Johnson Leslie’s legacy of love, compassion, and commitment to making the world a better place will continue to inspire those she leaves behind.