Lyla “Jean” Files of Fort Smith passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at the age of 92. Jean was born February 17, 1928, in Blue Mountain, Arkansas, to Hayden and Maybelle Walker. She was the oldest of three siblings, Doris June and William Charles Walker. She grew up in Blue Mountain and attended Magazine Schools.
On October 16, 1946, Jean and her sister, Doris June, married brothers, Thomas “Dale” Files and William Meredith Files in a double wedding ceremony in Branch, Arkansas. Jean and Dale were married until Dale’s death in 1983.
Jean was a homemaker and later worked with her husband, Dale, and son, Jim at Files Monument Company in Fort Smith. She later retired from Fort Smith Christian School where she was like a grandmother to many students and their families.
She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family at Blue Mountain Lake. Jean loved serving her church family at Windsor Park Fellowship by cooking weekly Wednesday night meals where she made her famous chicken and dumplings, “haystacks” and fried pies. You could find her on the front row attending her children, grandchildren and great-grand children’s sporting or special events.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Hayden Walker and Maybelle (Greene) Walker; her husband, Thomas “Dale” Files; her sister, Doris June Files; and her brother-in-law, William Meredith Files.
She will be greatly missed by her son, Jim Files and wife, Jane of Sherwood; her daughter, Becky Webster and husband, Lee of Fort Smith; her brother, William Charles Walker and wife, Nona, of Fort Smith; her four grandchildren, Jake Files and wife, Michaela, of Fort Smith; Jenni Jordan and husband, Adam, of Little Rock; Jessi Forster and husband, Chris, of North Little Rock; Rachel Harris and husband, Blake, of Fayetteville; her nine great-grandchildren, Kate Files, Liz Files, Bella Files, Mitch Files, Zach Jordan, Jill Jordan, Dalia Forster, Carter Forster and Jack Forster; and several nieces and nephews who called her “Auntie”.
Memorial Service will be held at Edwards Funeral Home on Thursday, June 25th at 2 pm. Private family burial service will be held at Oak Cemetery.
Onlines condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
