Marie Genevieve "Odum" Travelstead

Marie Genevieve (Odum) Travelstead, age 90, of Jonesboro, AR, formerly of Rector, AR and Creal Springs, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at St. Elizabeth's Place in Jonesboro, AR.

She was born at home, east of Creal Springs, IL, on September 20, 1935, to George Dewey and Bessie Marie (Doss) Odum.

She married Marvin Dale Travelstead on January 17, 1953 at the home of Reverend Hogg in Marion, IL, and together they shared over fifty-four years of marriage until he preceded her in death on October 5, 2007.

Marie was a homemaker and lovingly cared for her family and managed her home. She was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening and working in her flowers. She loved being outdoors and extremely loved to fish. She enjoyed playing card games, particularly Skip-bo, and watching football and baseball on TV. She always wanted the team with the prettiest uniforms to win.

In the past, Marie served her church by playing the piano for worship. Her faith was still an integral part of her life, even after moving to the care center, where she loved to attend Bible studies and visit with her special friends she made while living there. They all enjoyed playing games together, especially bingo. When she would win, she always loved to choose peanut M&M's.

Many wonderful memories have been created that will now be cherished by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by three daughters, Janie Travelstead of Rector, AR, Genevieve "Genny" (Kenny) Burns of Rector, AR and Mary (Paul) Hester of Paragould, AR; two sons, Larry (Gail) Travelstead of Salem, AR and Gary (Paul Kibby) Travelstead of Batesville, AR; fourteen grandchildren, Dustin (Bethany) Burns of Rector, AR, Kari (Michael) Walker of Jonesboro, AR, Robby (Ashley) Burns of Paragould, AR, Tim (Carrie) Travelstead of Marmaduke, AR, Jeremy (Amanda) Bundren of Pocahontas, AR, Shawn (Taylor) Travelstead of Jonesboro, AR, Shane Travelstead of Jonesboro, AR, Chris Hester of Paragould, AR, Seth (Cassandra) Travelstead of Brookland, AR, Jerry (Marcy) Hester of Paragould, AR, Nicole Hester of Paragould, AR, Gracie (Lance) Purcell of Viola, AR, Brionna (Kori) Dunlap of Brookland, AR and Chelsea Hamilton of Salem, AR; twenty-two great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Ellen) Odum of Murray, KY; and several nieces and nephews of the Odum and Travelstead families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Dewey Odum and Kenneth Odum; and sisters-in-law, Phyllis Odum and Doris Odum.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.

A time of visitation will be at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, on Friday, April 3, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Following the time of visitation, the funeral service will at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jeremy Bundren and Pastor Kenneth Burns presiding.

Interment will follow in Creal Springs Cemetery of Creal Springs, IL.

For those who prefer, the family has requested memorial contributions be directed to "Dierksen Hospice" located at 2504 Alexander Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL 62959.

For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.