Obituaries

Edna Earle Swafford Allen

Edna Earle Swafford Allen of the Ico Community, near Sheridan, was born Jan. 30, 1921 at Sheridan, the son of the late George Dewey and Lacy Ardelta Reynolds Swafford. She was a member of Orion Missionary Baptist Church, was a member of Grant County Singing Club, and was also the organist for Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Edna Earle had a God-given gift for music and used that gift to bring Honor and Glory to God. She adored her family and was so thankful for the care that they showed her, allowing her to live the past few years with them in their home. Edna Earle was Miss Grant County 1936, Miss Personality Grant County 1937, and Woman of the Year EHC Grant County. She received a State Singing plaque of Service in 2000 and she was State EHC 4H Leader, State 4H Leader of the Year, and Cane Creek 4H Leader for 17 years. She was organist-pianist for 25 years for the funeral home and had received a plaque from Orion Baptist Church for 30 years service and pianist for 33 years. She also was private music teacher for 16 years to over 200 students, a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Choir Director, Church Music School Teacher, and also received a state plaque for state promotion of Gospel Music. Mrs. Allen died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, at the age of 92. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Allen; granddaughters, Mona Renee Burgess, Stacy Diane Allen; grandson, Nathan Gregory Allen. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Judy Allen of Ico Community; daughter and son-in-law, E. Leonette and Carl Walls of Birmingham, Ala.; grandchildren, Jody W. Allen, John W. Allen, Marissa Rene' Allen, and Michael Burgess; great grandchildren, Jasper Phillips, Trinity Allen and Salma Allen; numerous other family members and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery at Ico Community. Visitation will be Monday, 5-7:30 p.m. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook: www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.

Published January 13, 2014

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