Visitation preceded the service. Interment followed at the Start Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

Jewellene was born July 9, 1932, in Winnsboro, and passed away peacefully in the early hours of February 26, 2026, at the age of 93 in Monroe.

She is preceded in death by her adoring husband of 61 years, Bennie Charles Robinson; her parents, William Troy Adams and Ruby Coughran Adams; her sisters, Aline Adams Robertson and Gloria Adams Walker; her brother, William Kenneth Adams; her brothersin- law, Oscar Robinson and Herron Littleton; her nephew, Erek Adams; and her niece, Michelle Walker Smith.

She is survived by her son, Bennie Charles Robinson Jr., and his wife, Stacia Dee Robinson, of Monroe; her granddaughter, Kristen Laurel Jester and husband, Tyler Jester, of Bentonville, Ark.; her granddaughter, Kadee Lynn Robinson of Monroe; her brother, Bob Adams, and sisterin- law, Bonnie Adams, of Start; her sister-inlaw, Carol Robinson, of Monroe; along with her many beloved nieces and nephews.

Following graduation from Start High School in 1950, Jewellene enrolled in Northeast Louisiana State College and majored in elementary education. During her college years, she worked for the library on campus and remained involved in her local church community, which led her to meet her future spouse, Ben.

Shortly after graduation in 1954, she was hired to teach second grade at Start Elementary School. In December of 1957, she married Ben Robinson of Start and moved to Baton Rouge for him to attend graduate school at Louisiana State University. During this brief time, she taught second grade for the Baton Rouge School System, and upon completion of Ben’s work there, the family moved to Alexandria, where they welcomed their only child, Bennie Charles Robinson Jr., in 1958.

Jewellene deeply enjoyed her years spent in Alexandria raising her son, being involved in her community, and continuing her career in education. She would often reflect on these years with fondness and shared that after teaching various grade levels, fourth was her favorite. She had a love for learning, which led to her earning a master’s degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 1974.

In 1978, an opportunity in Ben’s career led the pair to move back home to Start, where they built their forever home. Not being one to sit still, Jewellene quickly applied for elementary teaching positions in the area but ended up taking a different path by becoming a GED instructor at Louisiana Vocational- Technical Institute in Winnsboro. Of all the teaching positions she held, Jewellene found helping men and women of all ages earn their GED the most rewarding. She truly loved seeing her students light up with pride when they accomplished things that they once believed were impossible.

Being involved in church and its activities was paramount in Jewellene’s life.

Joseph Edgar Grissom Sr.

In every community she lived in, she was active in church. Over the years she taught Bible school, served as church librarian, taught Sunday School, and served on many committees, including The Crochet Club at First Baptist of Rayville, where she made hats for missions and children at St. Jude. Since Jewellene has been unable to attend church for several years, she has spent every Sunday watching at least three services on television. She loved the Lord and often wrote down reflections of scripture on notecards to remind herself and others what truly matters in life.

Though her routines were curtailed due to her health problems in more recent years, Jewellene remained as active as possible. In addition to crocheting and visiting with her dear friends and family, she kept her mind active by working puzzles and reading almost every large-print book the library had to offer. Jewellene truly delighted in spending time with anyone who would stop by to visit, and she looked forward to her nightly calls from her dear sister-in-law, Bonnie. Fellowship meant the world to her and filled her heart with joy. She loved you all dearly.

The family would like to thank the many healthcare providers who have cared for Jewellene over the years as well as the Shut-in Ministry of First Baptist Church of Rayville, who brought a meal each Wednesday night to her. The meal was important to Jewellene, but the fellowship of Christian friends was what she cherished most.

Graveside services for Joseph “Joe” Edgar Grissom Sr., 86, of Start, were held Friday, February 20, 2026, at Start Cemetery.

Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Dennard First National Funeral Home in Winnsboro.

Joe was born January 11, 1940, in Crowville, to the late Glover William Grissom and Arzel Antley Grissom. He passed away February 17, 2026, in Monroe at St. Francis Medical Center following a brief illness.

Joe proudly served his country as a United States Army veteran for several years before beginning his career as a truck driver with Ware Oil Company in Rayville, where he continued to work for 36 years.

Joe was known for his strong work ethic and unwavering sense of responsibility. He believed in providing for his family through honest, hard work and took great pride in every job he did. Whether serving his country, driving a truck or hauling trees, Joe was dependable, dedicated, and committed to doing things the right way. Even in the last few weeks of his life, he was still talking about wanting to go to work -- a true reflection of the determination and drive that defined him. His steady example of perseverance and integrity left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 43 years, Nina Merle Seymour Grissom; his later-in-life wife, Dorothy Shivers Grissom; and his sisters, Marie Goodman and Troy Willyard.

Joe is survived by his six children: Carolyn Smith and husband, Jeff, of El Dorado, Ark.; Bill Grissom and wife, Tamara, of Start; Rosemary McDonald and husband, Paul, of Rayville; Joann Dennard and husband, Troy, of Crowville; Dooney “Boy” Grissom and wife, Rhonda, of Girard; and Daniel Wallace Grissom and wife, Ellie, of Rayville; and stepdaughter, Gloria Bowen of Pearl, Miss.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Samantha Smith Mann and husband, Chris, Jacob Smith and wife, Rachel, Blake Dennard, D.J. Grissom, Taylor McDonald and wife, Kaylee, Maddie Grissom, Holly Kate Grissom, and Jon Merriett; great-grandchildren, Logan, Emma and Ella Man and Effie Jane and Eloise Smith; sister, Ann Jones; brothers, Johnny Grissom and Steve Grissom and wife, Annie; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers are Bennie Love and Mike Adcock.

Online registry and condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational. com.