Mrs. Geneva Aline Ayres James, age 91, of Dodson, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She was born on Wednesday, March 16, 1932, in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, to her parents, Lee R. Ayres and Allie Davis Ayres.

Geneva was a loving and devoted wife for 64 years to her late husband, Walter Lynn James, Sr., and together they created a loving and close-knit family. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Geneva was preceded in death by six cherished family members, including her father, Lee R. Ayres; mother, Allie Davis Ayres; husband, Walter Lynn James, Sr.; brothers, Lee R. Ayres, Jr., Lavelle Ayres and Leslie Carl Ayres; sisters, Doris Ayres, JoAnn Smudericks and Linda Tamborella; and grandson, Justin Daniel James.

She is survived by a loving family who will continue to cherish her memory: daughter, Debra Hanson and husband Troy; daughter, Cathy Gray and husband Terry; son, Tony D. James and Linda; son, Walter Lynn James, Jr. and wife Lisa; brothers, Ray Ayres, and Jerry Ayres and wife Geraldine; sister, Barbara Sweeny and husband Ronal; and an abundance of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to her life.

The grandchildren that brought her joy include, Quinton Gray, Tanya Gray, Destiny James, Zachary James, Ragen Martin and Brent James.

The great grandchildren she adored include Brett, Skylar, and Grason Wiggins; Luke, Addisyn, Drake, and Cash James; Jaleigh and Brody Martin; Israel and Bethany Gray; Tyler, Jace, and Hadley James; and Barrett Bradley Martin.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the public visitation at Southern Funeral Home on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The funeral service to honor Mrs. Geneva Aline James will be held at Southern Funeral Home on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 2:00 PM. The service will be officiated by Rev. Mickey Parker, Rev. Terry Gray, and Rev. Michael Whitman. Mrs. James will be remembered through music provided by Leroy and Larica James.
Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Friendship Cemetery.

Honoring Mrs. James as pallbearers will be Quinton Gray, Brent James, Zachary James, Luke James, Israel Gray, Brett Wiggins, Skylar Wiggins, and Grayson Wiggins. Lance and Jody James will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In her journey through life, Geneva touched the hearts of many and leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and family bonds that will forever be cherished. She will be remembered fondly and missed deeply by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.southernfuneralhome.com.