Edna Smith-Statler

Edna Louise Smith-Statler, 93, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, surrounded by her family at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Dec. 6, 1928, in Cape Girardeau, the daughter of Francis F. and Elsie L. Barber Smith. She and the Rev. Earl G. Statler married June 2, 1948. He preceded her in death June 23, 2006.

Loving survivors include her five children, Deborah (Ken) Statler-Ferguson of Floral City, Florida; David (Kathy) Statler of Greenwood, Indiana; Martha L. (Denis) Plassmeyer of St. Elizabeth, Missouri; Mary Ann (William) Statler Wintermantel of Salinas, California; and Timothy Statler of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband of 58 years, Earl, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Frances Johnson, and a brother, Charles Smith.

Edna attended Cape Girardeau public schools and graduated from Fredericktown (Missouri) High School. In 1979 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

After she and Earl married, she followed and supported her husband's ministry in several communities in southern and central Missouri. She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star, the United Methodist Women's organization and a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Edna enjoyed crafts, doing extensive work in genealogy, and gardening.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. at the church with her nephew, the Rev. Allen Smith, officiating. Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

All family and friends are invited to Edna's services, but due to family's health circumstances masks are required.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Edna's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.