Edna Coble, 98 of Van Buren, AR, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024. She was born on June 18, 1926 in Ozark, AR to the late James F. Rich and Toka Bell Rich. At a young age Edna experienced hard work, picking cotton when she was just nine years old. As it turned out, that summer of 1936 was the hottest on record in Ozark. In her adult years, Edna managed the cosmetic department at Hunt’s in the Park Plaza Shopping Center. She always had a good rapport with her clients. Later, Edna went to work for Whirlpool, where she retired from in 1991. Edna was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, having joined the church in 1951. It was there at First Baptist she taught Sunday School. She never met a stranger. She had the biggest heart, continually helping her neighbors. Anytime someone was sick or there was a death in the family, Edna would bring food to comfort them. She loved family get togethers and being with them. In addition to her parents, Edna is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Omer Coble, who passed away in 2011. She is also preceded in death by four sisters and one brother.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandy Franks of Van Buren and her son Roger Coble and his wife Saundra, of Ozark. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Rhett Franks, Michele Coble, Candace Altenberger, Charlece Ridenour, along with fifteen great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Edwards Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be 11:00 am Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with the committal service at 2:00 pm at Morgan Hill Cemetery near Ozark.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church c/o the Homebound Ministry, P.O. Box 609, Fort Smith, AR 72902, or go to www.fsfbc.org, or to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, P.O. Box 96105 Washington, DC 20090-6105, or go to www.ifcj.org.
To view the online guestbook, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
