Edna Mae Booth Qualls

Edna Mae Booth Qualls, 80, of Caraway entered into her eternal life with Jesus on June 21, 2021. The love of Jesus shined through her in her earthly life as Edna touched many lives with her compassion and caring nature. She died peacefully with her family by her side.

She was born to Troy Herbert Booth and Eithel Brickell Booth on Feb. 9, 1941, at their home on Hackberry. They preceded her in death. She was a devoted wife and farming partner of 54 years to Jerry D Qualls who preceded her in death on March 31, 2016.

Edna was very dedicated to and loved beyond measure her family and friends. She is survived by her four children, sons, Hunter (Donna) Miller and Curtis Miller; daughters, Jerri Lyn (Shannon) Sanders and Sandra Lee (Stephan) Pearce. Other survivors include two special sisters, Mary Faulkner and Etta Lee (Don) DuMond of Ravenden; three sisters-in-law, Lawanda (Ronnie) Slayton of Memphis, Onita (Eddie) Thomas of Jonesboro, and Janie Sue Qualls of Lake City; and one aunt, Eurshel Booth of Mountain Home. She was delighted to have seven grandchildren, Clayton Miller, Jameson (Brittni) Pearce, McCrae Miller, Harley Miller, Bryton Sanders and Emmie Sanders. More joy came with her three great-grandchildren, Layken Miller, Emmett Miller and Beckett Pearce.

She has lived and farmed in the Caraway community all of her life. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Caraway. She once drove a bus route for the Monette School district and was an EMT for the Buffalo Island Ambulance Service. She became a LPN and worked at St. Bernards hospital after nursing school. Unfortunately, her mother became ill and she quit work to care for her. She later went back to work as the school nurse at Riverside School District.

Her family never ceased to marvel at her tenacity, work ethic, willingness to do anything for anyone, and her sense of humor. She was a very fun mother who got involved in everything her children participated in. She became a softball coach and umpire when Jerri Lyn and Sandra Lee were playing softball. She served on the PTA and was a room mother to all four of her kids. She served as Girl Scout leader to the Brownie troop. She learned about showing livestock and supported Hunter and Curtis in FFA. She chaperoned many school activities and trips for her kids and grandkids.

She was an exceptional cook and baker. She raised a big garden and enjoyed canning, freezing and sharing its bounty with others. She delighted in the fact that everyone loved her baked good and delicious meals. She was always willing to bake a cake for any local fundraiser and was thrilled when that item brought a lot of money at auctions to support the cause.

Edna was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

In the last two weeks as she reminisced with family and friends she stated that “We worked hard and we played hard." She indeed lived by that motto and always enjoyed making people laugh and feel comfortable. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was a loyal friend and always someone you could talk to. She loved people of all ages.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Gregg Funeral Home in Monette.

A celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at Gregg Funeral Home Chapel with Gary Earnhart and Loretta Qualls officiating. Interment will follow and Monette Memorial Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Terry Harris, Tim Brickell, Dwight Whittenberg, Dane McCord, Kris Kelton and Kenny Qualls.

Honorary pallbearers are the Caraway Central High School Class of 1958, Larry Sanders, Ronnie Harris, Jack Stone, Jerry Overman, Larry Davis, Johnny McCord, Dwight Booth, Fred Dowless, Dr. Robert Flannigan, Jr., Bill Hawkins, Dr. Corey Crain, Cody Weathers, Caleb Weathers and James Dunkerson.

Lasting memorials may be sent to a charity of your choice.