Geraldine Rhodes O'Bannon

Geraldine Rhodes O’Bannon “Gerry” was born September 8, 1927 to Marcus L. Rhodes and Eula Belle Tarver Rhodes in Mansfield, LA.  She passed away on April 17, 2024 at the age of 96 in Natchitoches surrounded by her family.

Geraldine, known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren as Mama 2 or Maw-Maw Gerry, deeply loved her family.  She loved to cook and host holiday meals, always making sure each person had their favorite dish on the menu.  She was an avid reader and loved anything by Danielle Steele.  Her favorite musician was Conway Twitty and she had the opportunity to attend several of his concerts.  If there was a trip to be planned, you didn’t have to ask her twice, she was ready to go.  She loved to travel and no matter the destination, she would always find someone that she knew, usually a customer from Wal-Mart.  She worked for 30 years at Wal-Mart, beginning on July 10, 1977 until she retired in 2008 at the age of 80.  During her time off, if she wasn’t traveling, you could find her around a kitchen table with Red Scarborough, Dolly Dupree, Mary Brister or Ann Campbell for their weekly Monday night Rook game.  By chance if there was a bingo game on the weekend, she would be there too.   She loved spending time with her family and friends.  As a life-long member of Provencal First Baptist Church, she believed Sundays were for church and relaxing only.  Don’t ask her to go anywhere or do anything on a Sunday.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Eula Rhodes; brothers, Elvis Franklin Rhodes and Harvey Lee Rhodes; husband, Joseph Gordon “Papa Pete” O’Bannon; and a son Randall Gordon O’Bannon.

She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Davis and husband Ralph of Provencal; grandson, Kendall Davis and wife Tamara of Moberly Lake, British Columbia; granddaughter, Kristen Hall and husband David of Many; daughter-in-law, Sharon O’Bannon of Natchitoches; granddaughter, Jennifer Gerwick and husband Fred of Grapevine, TX; grandson, Randall O’Bannon and girlfriend Shelly McDonald of Natchitoches; great grandchildren, Stephen McCallister, Delores O’Bannon, and Erica O’Bannon of Natchitoches.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Provencal First Baptist with Pastor Bill Hudson officiating.  Burial will follow at Provencal Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends on Sunday the 21^st from 2 pm until service time at Provencal First Baptist.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Kendall Davis and Tamara, Kristen Hall and David, Jennifer Gerwick and Fred, and Randall O’Bannon and Shelly.  Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Robertson, Larry “Man” Lindsey, Rodney Boswell, Jeremy Yopp, and Stephen McCallister.