Velma Allie Jones Dark passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in the Ruston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  She had recently celebrated her 91st birthday. Velma's passion in life was cooking wonderful meals for her children, grandchildren, and extended family to enjoy.  She made the best "cathead" biscuits, cornbread, pineapple cake, and cornbread dressing in Jackson parish, according to her family. She loved playing dominos with her ladies' group and attending church on Sunday.  She was an avid gardener and her green thumb grew many different fruits and vegetables, as well as her beloved rose bushes.

Those left to cherish her memory are sons, Joe Chris Dark and wife Marlene, Mack Dark and wife Donna, Sam Dark, Kevin Dark and wife Valerie, daughter Tina Santifer; grandchildren, Jeremie Dark and wife Maria, Amanda Turner and husband Jason, Seth Dark and wife Mercy, JD Santifer and wife Nicole, Jeffrey Dark and wife Elena, Terri O'Neal and husband Jason, Nichol Cruz and husband Chris, Andrea Dark; and eight beloved great grandchildren.

Velma is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph W Dark; mother and father, Kirby and S.L. Jones; sisters, Margie Bryant and Monnie Vanderslice; and son-in-law, Randy Santifer.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all private sitters and home health professionals, as well as the staff at Ruston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Allegiance Hospice for taking such good care of our beloved mother and grandmother during her last few years of life.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Services will be Saturday at 10:00am in the Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Pallbearers will be Jeramie Dark, J.D. Santifer, Seth Dark, Jeffrey Dark, Jason Turner and Jason O'Neal.