Edna Swanson, 95, of Texas, formerly of Springdale, AR, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 8, 2019.
Edna was born in Tennessee to Merritt John and Madeline Knight Dutton. In her late teens, she moved to California where she met and married Roy Swanson. She spent the next twenty plus years raising her family in Oxnard, CA. During these years, she was very involved in church, boating, fishing and camping. She loved traveling with the family up and down the state of California enjoying their parks and recreational areas. She was also an excellent homemaker and cook who excelled in bread making, which she would continue to do into her 80’s.
In 1966, Edna, husband and girls moved to Springdale, AR. She was a member of the Elmdale Baptist Church and Peaceful Valley Bible Church. She was a devoted Christian who dearly loved her Lord Jesus. She daily read and studied the Word and practiced what she read her entire life. “Mom” has not died but has just “graduated.”
In 2015, she moved to Texas to be closer to her daughter. She was residing at Conner Place, her second home, at the time of her passing. She was a caring, loving mother who will be dearly missed.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Thelma and brother-in-law Frederick Meyers; her husband; and daughter, Patricia “Kathy” Bailey.
Survivors include daughter Barbara Clark and son-in-law James of Texas; and son-in-law Jerry Bailey of Arkansas; one sister, Barbara Adolphson and husband Richard of Florida. Also included are grandchildren Michael, Sarah and William Clark, Pam Bailey Hutchens, Gwen Bailey Gregory and John and David Bailey; as well as great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 12-1:00 PM Friday, April 19, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel.
Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2019 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville, AR with Pastor Bill Pettigrew of Peaceful Valley Bible Church officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 PM at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Peaceful Valley Bible Church, 2203 S. 40th St, Springdale, AR 72762.
I am so sad to hear of Aunt Edna’s passing. She was always filled with love, happiness and grace. I never saw her without a smile. She was such a devoted wife to Roy and mother to her girls.
I remember summer visits as a child, and later as an adult with my own children and husband. Roy loved to talk and so does my husband, so the two would sit for hours discussing everything under the sun. While Edna patiently stood by. I remember the large front yard, and the tall pine trees. It was a serene and peaceful place, and I loved the rare occasions we had the chance to visit.
After allowing her 95 years on this earth, God just couldn’t wait any longer for his Angel to come home.
May God wrap His loving arms around all who knew her. She will be missed. I love you Aunt Edna.
Dear Aunt Edna,
My grand daughter Jesse, and I are planning a road trip through Arkansas and hope to find your resting place . We will bring flowers and conversation. I wish Jesse had known you she would have loved you. And I wish I could hear your sweet voice. I was so sad I didn’t know of your passing until later. If I had known you had moved to Texas I would have visited. I’m sorry I missed the opportunity.
Love, Vicki (Thelma’s youngest daughter)