Funeral services for Mrs. Stella Mae Edwards, age 86 of Fort Smith, Arkansas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel in Fort Smith. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Friday at Fentress Mortuary. Mrs. Edwards passed away Tuesday March 4, 2008. Local obituary furnished courtesy of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Stella Mae Edwards was born April 17, 1921 to Rupert P. and Alma Arnold. She was the youngest of their six children: Birnie, Willard, Tex, Novi, and Jay Arnold. She traveled extensively with her Army Air Corp husband in World War II. She began a career with her husband as a motel operator in Fort Smith and later owned several properties in Texas. She retired to Fort Smith in 1998 and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Van Buren. She was preceded in death by her son, Larry Edwards and her husband of 65 years, William E. Edwards.

Mrs. Edwards is survived by her sons, Paul W. Edwards of Fayetteville and Ed Edwards of Fort Smith; a sister Novi Gray; grandchildren Larry, Eric, Matt, Paula, Sarah, and Laura, and 12 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Paul Edwards, Ed Edwards, Larry Edwards, Eric Edwards, Matt Edwards and Brad Dowler.

If desired, memorials may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church P.O. Box 382 Van Buren, AR 72957.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.fentressmortuary.com.