Edwin Geary “Bo” Bates
November 3, 1949 – July 12, 2026
Edwin Geary “Bo” Bates, age 76, of Quitman, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Bo truly loved spending time in his barn, and it is a comfort to his family that he passed away in the place where he was happiest.
Bo was born on November 3, 1949, in Hodge, Louisiana, to John Edwin Bates Jr. and Margie Nell Stevenson Hughes. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his simple ways, his straightforward nature, his deep love for horses, and his dedicated work ethic. For more than 45 years, Bo was a familiar and trusted face in the community as the owner and operator of his local feed store.
He is survived by his son, Michael “Chad” Bates, and wife Ashley; his beloved granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Bates (Mason); and his step-grandson, Tucker Doyle Masters. He also leaves behind his sisters, Nell Rose Bates Norred and Rickey Bates Lowe, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the North Hodge Assembly of God. Funeral services will take place at the church on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with Bro Stuart Toms and Pastor Lance Huckaby officiating. Burial will follow at the Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Eddie White, Dennis Otwell, Roger Heflin, Gary Hill, Johnny Mac Caraway, and Ray Caraway. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Corley, Rodney Hinton, Chris Thomas, and Royce Walker.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of Bo’s customers for their patronage and for the deep friendships formed over 45 years. To our North Hodge Assembly church family, thank you for the love and support. They also extend a special thank-you to all the emergency personnel who responded.
Geneva L. Spillers
December8, 1950 – July 13, 2026
Geneva L. Spillers, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, passed away surrounded by the love of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Sue Leach of Dodson, Louisiana.
Geneva is survived by her loving children: Kandi Vines ( Randy), Casey Lewter (Malina), and Kaley Hall. She is also survived by her brothers, Robert Leach and Don (Renée) Leach, and sister Tami Roller. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to seven grandchildren: Rayne LeBaron, Dusty McConathy, Skye Jefferson, Ridge Lewter, Brailee Aldy, Rafe Lewter, and Annalee Wiggins. She was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Reed McMillan, Cohen McMillan, Bradilee McConathy, Stetson McConathy, Hagen McConathy and Brantley McConathy.
Geneva also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will cherish her memory. She held a special place in her heart for Ernie and Wilma Lewter, whose love and support meant so much to her throughout her life.
Public Viewing will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15th at the Paradise Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, LA, with her Life Celebration service being at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 16th. Interment will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home.
Geneva will be remembered for the love she shared with her family, her kind heart, and the lasting impact she made on all who knew her. Her memory will forever be treasured by those who were blessed to call her family and friend.
Sarah (Robinson) Whitten
February 6, 1939 – July 10, 2026
With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Sarah “Grand” Whitten —a beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, faithful Christian, and friend whose kindness, strength, and generosity left the world a better place.
Born on February 6, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Sarah was a true Southern lady with a generous heart, a quick wit, and a gift for making everything lovely. She grew up in Jonesboro, Louisiana, raised her own family in Germantown, Tennessee, and spent the last 23 years of her life in Franklin, Tennessee, where she continued to build treasured friendships and create wonderful memories.
Sarah was preceded in death by her father, Dr. George H. Robinson; her mother, Jatis James Robinson; her sister, Jatis Robinson Whitten; her special aunt, Myra Carter; and her second husband, Judge Leon Whitten.
She leaves behind the family she loved beyond measure: her son, Judd Harnage (Michele); her daughter, Leslie Cuevas; and three grandchildren who were the joy of her life—Tanner Harnage, Wyatt Harnage, and Madison Cuevas. Nothing made her smile quite like being their “Grand.” She also leaves behind very special nieces Laurie Whitten James (Robbie) and Katie Whitten-Julazadeh (David) and a nephew Rob Whitten (Abby).
Sarah devoted her career to teaching elementary school, where she nurtured not only young minds but young hearts. Teaching wasn’t simply her profession—it was her calling. Over the years, she changed countless lives, including courageously preventing the kidnapping of one of her students and helping rescue another child from an abusive home.
She stopped teaching when her children were small and became a stay-at-home mom. Being a mother was Sarah’s greatest joy. Whether serving as PTA president, room mother, team mother, or volunteering wherever she was needed, she never missed an opportunity to support her children and their friends. She showed up with love, enthusiasm, and an unwavering belief that family always came first.
Sarah lived a life full of adventure and resilience. She traveled the world, collected stories, and faced every challenge with remarkable courage, including surviving breast cancer. After her kids were grown she, along with her husband Leon, built and opened a beautiful nursing home in Louisiana – Forest Haven. She believed wholeheartedly in one of her favorite sayings: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” She didn’t just say those words—she lived them.
She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures: cheering on the Tennessee Titans with a heartfelt “Titan Up!” listening to country music, tending to beautiful flowers, taking walks, traveling to new places, and ending the day with a glass of wine shared among dear friends. Sarah was blessed with lifelong friendships in every place she called home, and those friendships were among her greatest treasures.
Sarah’s faith in Christ was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Louisiana, First United Methodist Church in Germantown, Tennessee, and Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. Her faith guided the way she loved, served, and cared for others. She treated people she encountered—with compassion and abundant generosity.
While her family will miss her every day, they are comforted by the countless memories she leaves behind, the values she instilled, and the love that will continue to bind them together. Her life reminds us that the measure of a person is found in the lives they touch, the love they give, and the stories they leave for others to tell.
Sarah’s story was a beautiful one, and it will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23
There will be a Drop-By Visitation / Celebration of Life at Franklin First United Methodist Church on Monday, 7/13/26 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (Use the entrance closest to Mack Hatcher Pkwy). A Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Gayla Traina Cemetery. Burial will follow under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Gary Sinise Foundation.
Carlton Lee Wysinger
March 8, 1958 – July 9, 2026
United States Armed Services Veteran Carlton Lee Wysinger went to be with the Lord on July 9th at the age of 68 years old. A public viewing will be held at the Paradise Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, LA from 3:00 – 6:00 pm on Friday, July 17th. The Life Celebration service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 18th, at Sand Hill Baptist Church in Quitman.
Rosalie (Young) Robinson Maxwell
August 14, 1937 – July 12, 2026
Rosalie (Young) Robinson Maxwell, 88, passed away on July 12, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of hard work, simple pleasures, and unwavering love for her family. She served her community as a meter maid before spending more than twenty years as a trusted teller at Jackson Parish Bank, where her friendly smile and caring nature made a lasting impression on many customers. When she wasn’t working, Rosalie could often be found bass fishing or camping on Old Saline Lake, tending her flower beds and yard, or enjoying the peace of being outdoors. Of all the blessings in her life, nothing brought her greater happiness than the time she spent with her family, whom she loved with all her heart.
Rosalie is survived by her daughters, Debbie Madere (Ronnie), Edwina Diffey (Terry) and Lisa Nunn (Scotty); grandchildren, Christina Harrell (Jeff), Ronnie Madere, Jr., Sandi Trahan (Corey), Terry Diffey, Jr. (Tish), and Mitch Nunn; great-grandchildren, Makayla Harrell, Maddie Harrell, Cameron Coleman (Joy), Carson Diffey and Annalise Diffey; great-great-grandchildren, Noah Coleman and Grayson Coleman; sister, Phyllis Lowery; 2 nieces and 1 nephew; and her white ball of fur, “Beau.”
She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Alvin Young; mother, Rosa Ann (Bedgood) Young; sisters, Joyce Marie Young and Juanita Chandler; husbands, Wiley Edwin Robinson and James (Jimmy) Charles Maxwell; and grandson, Joe Nunn.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Bro. Randy Dark and Bro. Derrick Perry officiating. Burial will follow in McDonald Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery near Jonesboro.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Madere, Ronnie Madere, Jr., Terry Diffey, Terry Benson, Scotty Nunn, Mitch Nunn, and Cameron Coleman.