James Ginn
December 29, 1958 – June 6, 2025
James Ginn, age 66, went to be with his LORD and Savior on June 6, 2025. James was born in Hodge, LA, on December 29th, 1958, to Francis Claude and Johnnie Evelyn (Pullen) Ginn.
James was an elected Alderman for District A, serving that District and the Town of Jonesboro for the last 6 years. He was a strong advocate for the development and enhancement of the town. He is also the owner of GSG Sports.
James also served in the Jaycees as a National Vice President, 1994-1995, and LA State President, 1992-1993. As one former Jaycee stated, “James was a true leader, walking the walk, leaving others to want to be better, do better, and love more.”
James took his leadership into LA TAG (Tech Advancement Group) being a founding member and President. Starting Tech and Tails and being a scholarship Honoree, having a scholarship named in his honor in 2019. He loved his Bulldogs, tailgating with great friends in TAG, and serving current and past Bulldogs.
He also served on multiple Ministry Teams at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro as he continued to grow in his faith. One of his favorite ministries was the Thursday Men’s Bible Study, always wanting to learn and grow.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Francis Claude and Johnnie Evelyn (Pullen) Ginn; one brother, John Keith Ginn; sister-in-law, Debbie Ginn; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Tracy Ginn; his brother, Jerry Ginn (Teresa); sister-in-law, Stacy Caver (John); nephews, Greg Ginn and John William Caver Jr.; nieces, Gayla Saulters (Mike), Gretchen Dell (Joe), and Jillian Munday (Bryan); and many great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 11th, with Reverends Brian McAllister and Trey Etheridge officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will include: John Caver, John William Caver Jr., Brandon Ginn, Donny Freeman, AJ Trevenson, Greg Hennigan, Jason Thomasee, and Mike Brown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church Missions or LA Tech Athletics.
Ellen (Lewis) Chelette
March 28, 1917 – June 5, 2025
Ellen “Ellie” (Lewis) Chelette, age 108, of Jonesboro, La was called to her Heavenly home on Thursday, June 5, 2025. She was born March 28, 1917, in Eden, LA, to the union of William and Lillie (Jackson) Lewis. Ellie was the first of nine children and helped her parents raise and nurture her siblings. Ellie loved her Lord and Savior and her family dearly. She attended North Hodge Assembly of God as long as she was able. She told her family to always pray. “Pray, don’t worry, pray…that will get your head right.” She loved to cook and bake for her family. Ellie did not drive; she chose to walk where she needed to go. She liked to walk to Traina’s Bakery with her grandchildren and take them to get an ice-cold bottle of Coke. These are just some of the precious memories that she has left her family to treasure.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Bowman Chelette, Linda (Chelette) Driggers; 9 grandchildren, Tim Driggers, Barry Brymer, Casey Antie, Debbra Worley, David Chelette, Mitzi Chelette, Tony Chelette, Rhonda Ponder, Gina Smith; 10 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Chelette; daughters, Verda Rhoda (Chelette) Antie Foster, Betty Ann Chelette; stepsons, Randolphe Chelette, Charles Chelette; stepdaughter, Imogene (Chelette) Brymer; father, William Lewis; mother, Lillie (Jackson) Lewis; siblings, Ernest Lewis, Roy Lewis, Raymond Lewis, Gladys Lewis, Elmer Lewis, William Lewis, Jr., Jesse Lewis, Hazel (Lewis) Berryman.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday, June 10th, in McDonald Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Bubba Walsworth officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers were Tim Smith, Barry Brymer, Casey Antie, Jimmy Jordan, Jeff Brooks, and Brennan Aramda.
Newton Campbell
April 29, 1940 – June 6, 2025
Mr. Homer Newton Campbell passed away in Monroe, Louisiana, on June 6, 2025. He was 85 years old. It could be said that Newton was a real cowboy. He was a former rodeo clown and loved horses and riding. He dressed in western attire and enjoyed watching old westerns on television, especially Gunsmoke and Bonanza. He loved his farm which included horses and goats. Newton was also a dog-lover and enjoyed dirt track racing. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.
Newton is survived by his children, Cathy Simmons (Brian), Ricky Naron, Cindy Owens (Guy), Candy Robinson, Terry Campbell (April); 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Nancy Shelton (Andy); sister-in-law, Linda Campbell; brother-in-law, Bill Phillips; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Jane McKay.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda (Mosley) Campbell; grandson, Tyler Hemperley; father, William Homer Campbell; mother, Nettie Marie (Dison) Campbell; sister, Dianne Phillips; and brother, Houston Campbell.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 PM, and interment will follow in Chatham Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Naron, Terry Campbell, Justin Owens, Guy Owens, Brian Simmons, Lawrence Franklin, and Jacob Russell. Honorary Pallbearer will be Danny Davis.
The family expresses a special “Thank You” to Newton’s hospice nurse, Sydney, and to Saint Joseph Continuing Care Center in Monroe, Louisiana. Memorial donations can be sent to Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter in West Monroe, Louisiana.
Sarah Brunson Mathews
September 20, 1935 ~ June 7, 2025
Sarah Brunson Mathews was born on September 20, 1935, in Winnsboro, LA to Frank Wray and Lela Prewitt Brunson. She passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, surrounded by family, at Jackson Parish Hospital in Jonesboro, Louisiana.
Sarah was raised in Archibald, LA. She was a 1953 graduate of Mangham High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University and Louisiana Tech University. She married Armed Mathews in 1955, and they started their family in Mangham where Armed coached football. As a coach’s wife, Sarah regularly spent time washing and mending uniforms and cooking for the Mangham Dragons. After moving their family to Jonesboro, Sarah worked for many years as the receptionist and then bookkeeper at Jonesboro-Hodge High School and later as secretary of the special education department at Jackson Parish School Board. Armed and Sarah also owned and operated The Sports Page in Jonesboro for many years.
Sarah was an avid reader, a professional at solving crossword puzzles, and a fan of old westerns. She and Armed watched every episode of Gunsmoke many times. Sarah was an excellent cook and loved cooking big meals for her “bunch” as she called her family. She was extremely proud of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids and was fiercely protective of all of them.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Armed Mathews; her daughter, Ellen Mathews Layfield; and her parents.
She is survived by two sons, Armed Murrell “Rel” Mathews, Jr. and wife Salena; Francis Neuton “Frank” Mathews and wife Brenda; one daughter, Karen Mathews Myers and husband Joey; and one son-in-law, Randy Layfield.
She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Damon Wray Mathews and wife Kerrie; Cherie’ Mathews Odom and husband James; Virginia Mathews Wigley and husband Shane; Catherine Layfield Semmes and husband Bobby; Matthew Layfield and wife Mindy; Frank Wray Mathews and wife Lindsay; Jessie Mathews Parker and husband John; Brian Myers and wife Melanie; and Daniel Myers and wife Alyssa; and a host of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
There will be a private graveside service at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 11th, with burial following at Lynn Cemetery in Archibald, Louisiana, under the direction of Brown Holley Funeral Home.