Imogene Burgess Ryals

Heaven gained a very special lady, Imogene Burgess Ryals, on Sunday, January 19, 2025. She was a resident of Deerfield Nursing Home in Delhi, LA. She previously resided at Azalea Estates, and St. Josephs in Monroe, LA. All services are scheduled at Cox Funeral Home in Delhi, LA. Visitation is Friday night, Jan. 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m. The celebration of her life will be Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 10:00 a.m. Rev. Kelly Coleman will be leading the service. Private family burial will be at Plattsburg Cemetery in Plattsburg, MS. Mrs. Ryals was born on Feb. 5, 1928, in the small farming community of Monticello, LA, located in East Carroll Parish. She was the oldest of four girls born to James Clayton and Emma Bernice Martin Burgess. Preceding her in death were her parents and all three sisters: Juanita Kate Donohoe, Vera Edith Deal, and Roma Lee Bowen. She is survived by one brother-in-law, Duane Bowen, of Issaquah, WA. Also preceding her in death was her beloved son Kenneth Wayne (Butch) Ryals, a precious granddaughter Adrianne Hope Ryals, and her beloved husband Adrian Gordon Ryals. Imogene was a widow for almost forty years and in her exact words “vowed never to have another man.” Imogene graduated from Monticello High School where one-half of the students were probably Burgess cousins. She shared a lot of fond memories of her school days with her family. One of those memories was being a guard on the girls basketball team. It was a prized memory, and she proudly showed the grands and great-grands how to be a “good guard.” Those who were taught this skill can still tell the stories with their hands and arms moving just like hers. After graduation a young, shy, petite, and beautiful girl left home to attend Draughon’s Business College in Jackson, MS. It’s hard to imagine her ever leaving home, but she left the country life and embraced being on her own in the city. While attending school she met the dashing World War II vet, Adrian Ryals, from Rt. 8 Philadelphia, MS. Their romance blossomed and she often said, “Adrian just wouldn’t leave her alone, so she finally said yes to his marriage proposal.” They were married at her parents house in Monticello on January 25, 1948. They left after the wedding and rode a bus to Rt. 8, Philadelphia, MS because Adrian didn’t own a car. The prevailing mode of transportation for long distances was by bus. Upon arriving at their destination, they got a taxi and continued their journey to his family home way out in the country. She had never met her in-laws, nor any members of the family. Although this was quite a culture shock, she quickly adapted to life on Rt. 8. His family welcomed her with love and kindness, which she whole-heartedly returned and is still Aunt Imogene to this day. After some time at Rt. 8, the young couple moved back to Monticello and Adrian started farming. Imogene was quite the homemaker and quickly took on all the duties of running a household. During this time, she returned to Herringville Baptist Church, faithful in every function and meeting held at the church. She insisted her children attend every event held at the church dressed in their Sunday best. When her children were older, she started working for East Carroll Parish School Board as a “lunchroom lady.” She worked at Transylvania, Lake Providence, and Monticello schools. She bought her own car and drove it until she retired. After her husband’s death, Imogene remained in Monticello for several years. She enjoyed Senior Olympics and traveled to many state competitions. She won ribbons in washer-throwing and speed-walking, which is probably why she was able to walk up and down the halls of the nursing home until a couple of months before her death. She then decided to sell her house and follow the “baby, Curtis Lee,” to every location he moved. She lived in Spencer, LA, Clay, LA, and Dubach, LA. She quickly joined a church in every new location. Her current membership is at First Baptist, Dubach, LA. Although she loved and attended many churches, Herringville Baptist in the Monticello community was her most beloved. Those left to cherish her memory include: Children: daughter, Linda Jean Ryals Jones (David), son, Curtis Lee Ryals (Amy). Grandchildren: Jessica Jones, Joshua Jones, Jordan Jones Sullivan (Neal), Ashlea Ryals Mott, Allison Ryals Oberle, Amber Ryals Bryant (Clay). Great Grandchildren: Nola Dickey, Greere Jones, Marlee Jones, Jett Jones, Jonah Jones, Joss David Jones, and Brandon Boosma, Alex Sullivan (Abbey), Neal David Sullivan (Raeleigh), Ember Mott, Geneviève Mott, Benjamin Oberle, Edith Oberle, and one expected in March, Ruby Gene Bryant. Great-great grandchild: Sylvie Sullivan. She is also survived by a special first cousin Dorothy Burgess Rodden. .The family wishes to express their thankfulness to: Deerfield Nursing home and staff; a very special sitter, Sharon Fletcher; Crossroads Hospice and their chaplain, Bro. John Skipper; Dr. Corey Albritton; David and Linda’s Deacon, Terry Knight; and the hostess committee of First Baptist Church Delhi. Any planned memorials can be made to the Gideons in Imogene Ryals’s memory, as this was one of her favorite organizations. Pallbearers include: Joshua Jones, Neal Sullivan, Clay Bryant, Alex Sullivan, Neal David Sullivan, Jett Jones, Jonah Jones, Joss David Jones, Brandon Boomsma, and Benjamin Oberle