Thelma Edwards

Mrs. Thelma Sandifer Edwards, aged 87, died at Clairmont Nursing Home in Tyler, Texas, Friday night, September 15, 2006 at nine o'clock, following an extended illness. She was carried to Tyler, TX three weeks before her death to be with her daughter Lois Edwards, where it became apparent that she had no chance in her long fight to regain her health and return to her home in Benton, Arkansas. Surviving her are her daughter Lois E. Edwards of Tyler, TX; her son Robert Allan Edwards and his wife JoAnn of Benton, AR; three granddaughters, Cassandra Liberto Bramlett and her husband Jason Bramlett of Tyler, TX; Alecia Edwards Hamilton and her husband Richard Hamilton of Little Rock, AR, Toni Liberto Aschbacher and her husband William "Bill" Aschbacher of Keller, TX; her only grandson Benjamin Joseph Edwards and his wife Ashley Edwards of Fayetteville, AR; seven great-grandchildren, Presley Taylor Bramlett, Parker Theron Bramlett, Paris Grace Bramlett, Anna Rose Hamilton, Addison Claire Aschbacher, Andrew Richard Hamilton,and Cora Jane Edwards and her sister Daisy Sandifer Wilson. Mrs. Edwards was born August 23, 1919 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana near Robeline and was raised and educated in Robeline and Natchitoches Parish. She worked at the Louisiana Army Amunition Plant during World War II and again during the 1970s. She moved with her family to Shreveport, LA after World War II and worked in the restaurant business until retiring. She later became a hostess at Rose Neath South Side Funeral Home in Shreveport, LA. Mrs. Edwards had been a resident of Benton, AR since July 1994 where she lived near her son until she became ill. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Benton, AR and the Gold Star Wives. She was firm in her convictions, hard working, loving and loyal to her family and friends. She probably had as wide a circle of family and acquaintances as anyone and loved her family greatly. She enjoyed embroidery, quilting and her grandchildren. She said "Her door was always open and everyone was welcome in her home." She was preceded in death by her parents Beatrice Woodel Sandifer and Henry Jefferson Sandifer; a sister Ruby Sandifer Neal; husband Void Allen Cruse who was killed during the invasion of Normandy during World War II and husband Robert Ashford Edwards. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, September 18, 2006 at Central Baptist Church in Robeline, LA near her birthplace and childhood home. The services are in charge of the Rev. Crawford Williams of Shreveport, retired pastor of Ingleside Baptist church and Stewart Family Funeral Home of Tyler, TX. Interment will be in the family plot at Central Cemetery in Robeline. The family will receive visitors and friends at the church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. prior to the funeral services. Active pall bearers will be Ben Edwards, Jason Bramlett, Richard Hamilton, Bill Aschbacher, James E. "Jimmy" Neal and George Clary. Honorary pall bearers are Douglas Neal, Ronnie Neal, A. C. Wilson, III, Warren Woodel , Charles Clary and Joe Mangogna. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Thelma Edwards

August 23, 1919 - September 15, 2006