Edna Verlena Roberts

Edna Verlena Roberts, 85, of McCrory, passed peacefully from this life on August 6, 2018. She was born to Joseph E. and Susie Edna Roberds on April 24, 1933, in McCrory, Arkansas. Edna graduated from St. Vincent Infirmary School of Nursing in Little Rock in 1956 and married James Roberts, thus changing her name by only one letter. Being an Air Force wife for 13 years, Edna lived, worked, and raised her young family in the states of Texas, Nebraska, and Washington, before being widowed at the age of 36 and moving her four children to Searcy in 1969. During the next almost five decades she lived in Searcy and surrounding areas and used her 58 years of nursing skills to attend to those around her whether it be in hospitals, nursing homes, home health care, camp nurse, or one of the campus nurses at Harding University. At Harding, she struck gold with the close friendships of co-workers Virginia Campbell, Ann McClarty, and Pat Rice. Edna was a life-long member of the Church of Christ and loved to tell others about Jesus and her Heavenly Father, and she did so at home as well as in other parts of the world including Australia, Antigua and Albania. She was also a generous contributor to others with that same passion, whether it be for their education, their personal ministry, or mission trips abroad. She loved being part of World Bible School and teaching through correspondence. Edna wore many names during her life, but the one she wore most proudly after that of “Christian” was “Nana.” She cherished her grandchildren, and even when dementia had stolen her recognition of this precious group from her, it still delighted her when she learned that someone who was visiting her was her grandchild. “You are my grandchild?” she would exclaim incredulously. Nana was also delighted to fund summer camp, fun adventures, mission trips, and educational opportunities for these special young people. Edna is survived by one sister: Annie Sue Ridgeway of McCrory, Arkansas; one sister-in-law: Joann Roberds of Concord, California; three sons: Richard Roberts and wife Debbie of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bobby Roberts and wife Debra of Searcy, Arkansas, and Michael Roberts and wife Mandy of Velvet Ridge, Arkansas; one daughter: Sandy Wiles and husband Ben of Pflugerville, Texas; eleven grandchildren: Amy White and husband Jeremy, Jenny Simmons and husband Seth, Bethany Roberts, Jay Wiles and wife Anna, Amanda Fonville and husband Corbin, Amber Roberts and spouse Melissa, Allison Perry and husband Charles, Tyler Roberts, Barrett Mason and wife Cheyenne, Eli Roberts, Adrian Roberts; nine great grandchildren: Jonah White, Judah White, Joanna White, Joy White, Aliyah Perry, Adrianna Perry, Audrina Perry, Addy Mason, Kenzlee Mason, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Harry Roberts, her parents and two brothers, Paul Lavon Roberds and Billy Joe Roberds, and her daughter-in law, Tanja Roberts. Visitation and a memorial service to honor Edna have been planned for Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the Velvet Ridge Church of Christ, 1265 US-167, Bald Knob, Arkansas, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and the service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Edna are encouraged to do so by making a donation to their chosen ministry or to the Crowley’s Ridge Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, Arkansas, 72450, a ministry which she faithfully supported throughout many years. Guest registry www.faithfuneralservice.net