Blanche Monette Shows

BLANCHE MONETTE BISHOP SHOWS, 83 of Jonesboro, Louisiana went home to be with the Lord February 14, 2025. She was born November 5, 1941, in Jonesboro, Louisiana to Ernest and Jessie Bishop.
Blanche is preceded in death by her parents, one sister Virginia Jones and one brother Glen Bishop. She was the matriarch of a very large and loving family starting with her son Irl Odenbaugh and wife Terri, Troy Odenbaugh and wife Lana, daughter Lara Smith and husband Tim. She had 7 grandchildren: Jeremy Warren and wife Sarah, Tony Odenbaugh and wife Madison, Justin Warren and wife Mariah, Ethan Odenbaugh and wife Brittney, Abby Odenbaugh, Jessie Ritter and husband Justin, and David Odenbaugh and wife Brooke. She also had 17 great grandchildren: Hunter, Jase, Bailie, Sam, Jorgia, Colt, Jett, Holden, Laramie, Mae, Bristol, Logan, Stormi, Jameson, Stetson, Janie, and Linnie-Lee.
Blanche graduated from high school in Jonesboro in 1959. She was a proud member of the "59ers" (Jonesboro-Hodge High School Class of 1959) and loved getting together as often as they could. During the Vietnam War, she led the Red Cross helping soldiers get back to their families, making care packages to send them and making sure they got the letters from home. Later she worked getting a replica of the Liberty Bell that was used in many parades and that sits in the courthouse today. Blanche enjoyed a long career selling insurance and was very successful because of the way she was able to talk to people. There wasn't anyone she wouldn't talk to. She enjoyed writing and had a column in the Jackson Independent that was enjoyed by many. She lived in many different places but Jonesboro was always her home.
She was a true patriot in every sense of the word. She loved her country, her troops and her neighbors helping where she could. During Hurricane Katrina, she took strangers into her home, cooking for them and helping them anyway she could. She even gave one couple a wedding at her home. Her love of fishing started early with her father and continued throughout her life. She loved catching and eating them no matter how big or small, but she really loved the small ones. Her son told her she could catch fish in the toilet. Her motto was "If it has eyes it fries". And the tradition has been instilled in her whole family. She loved her family with her whole heart, from the oldest to the youngest and was proud of every one of them. She was a wonderful mother, the best mother-in-law, and the greatest "Nannie" that anyone could want. There are not enough words to describe the woman she was.
Even though we will never let her truly leave, her last celebration will be Tuesday, February 18 at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel. A public visitation will be held from 11AM until 1:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM with Bro Greg McManus officiating. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories in Jonesboro.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremy Warren, Justin Warren, Ethan Odenbaugh, David Odenbaugh, Justin Ritter, Hunter Odenbaugh, Jase Warren, and Kevin Quarles. Honorary pallbearers will be "The 59ers".
The family would like to thank everyone for the prayers and visits, as well as the great care provided by Forest Haven Nursing Home, Northern Louisiana Medical Center ICU and Allegiance Hospice Care.