Edna Newell

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Edna Parilee Horner Newell, 97, of Mounds passed away Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Edna was born Jan. 25, 1919, in Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of T. Dillard and Esther Lentz Horner. She was married Aug. 11, 1946, to Arvel E. Newell, who preceded her in death.

Edna lived most of her life in Pulaski County, Illinois, having attended Rife Memorial School in Villa Ridge, Illinois, and graduating from Mounds Township High School in the class of 1936.

Edna worked many jobs during her lifetime, including Illinois Central Railroad, JJ Blum Department Store, Paul's IGA and First State Bank of Mounds (later Community National Bank), from which she retired.

She always was active in the community affairs and was a member of American Legion Post 178 of Villa Ridge. She was an original member of the MTHS Alumni Organization and served on the committee until her death. She was selected to be the parade marshal twice for the Mounds Fall Festival. She loved to travel with The Gloryroad Travelers, her daughter's gospel group, and was a regular at the Friday Night Jam at Ullin, Illinois, where you might even find her helping with the singing.

Edna was an avid Meridian Bobcat fan and attended games up until her health prevented her from doing so. She loved basketball and baseball and loved to tell the referees how to do their job (just ask a few of the older ones). Although her loyalty was with the Bobcats, for the last several years, you would find her wearing maroon and rooting for the Century Centurions (it was tough to go from red to maroon), but when grandsons play ball, it didn't matter the color or team; she was behind them all the way.

Edna was the oldest member of Shiloh Baptist Church, having been a member for 86 years. She served as Sunday school superintendent, church clerk, church treasurer, Sunday school secretary and teacher of various age groups, the last being the adult women. She also attended the Women's Missionary Group of the church.

Edna is survived by a son, Robert "Bob" (JoDonna) Gunn; a daughter, Cheryl (Raleigh) Dunaway, all of Mounds Illinois; grandchildren Ned (Brenda) Gunn of Olive Branch, Illinois, Matthew Dunaway of Mounds and Lisa (Matt) Jones of Grand Chain, Illinois; great-grandchildren Levi and Lucas Jones; stepgrandchildren Aaron and Andrew Britton; special grandson Bruce Newbolds; sisters-in-law Ella Nora Shepherd of Mounds and Virginia Claxton of St. Charles, Missouri; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arvel Newell; her parents, Dillard and Esther Horner; and a brother Hubert Horner.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Illinois, and from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church in Villa Ridge.

The funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, with the Revs. Clint Nale, Brent Miller and Larry Miller officiating. Interment will be at Spencer Heights Cemetery in Mounds.

To leave online condolences, visit www.jones-funeral.com.