Edna Anne (Beaty) Rothwell, age 82, was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on September 27, 1941, to Fannie Glen Beaty and Welby Harrison Beaty. She was one of four children born to that union. When Edna was ten, she met a boy, John H. Rothwell Jr., who would later become her husband. They married on September 3, 1961, and celebrated over 60 years together. To that union were born three children: John Herbert Rothwell III, Sharon Anne, and Christopher Neal. When first married, John and Edna lived in Wichita, Kansas, where Edna graduated from what at that time was the University of Wichita. There, both Johnny and Sharon were born. When Sharon was just a baby, John took a job which caused the family to move to Salina, Kansas, where they lived for a little over 5 years. Edna was active in the Newcomer's Club there, in La Leche League, was a Den Mother for Johnny's Boy Scout group, and was active in church activities. She and a church friend taught exercise classes at the YMCA. When Chris was less than a year old, John was transferred to Springdale, Arkansas, where the family made many friends. Edna continued to be active in church activities, in La Leche League, in a group similar to Welcome Wagon, (Newcomer's Club), where she greeted newcomers to Springdale, and in school activities. She served as President of PTA, Halloween carnival chairman, Girl Scout leader, secretary for John, and chauffeur for the children. Edna was the first of her family to graduate high school and college. She went on to become a teacher, first teaching preschool at Salem Lutheran, then third grade at Tyson Elementary, and then teaching students who needed Special Education services at Echols Elementary in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at the Jr. High in Benton, Arkansas, and at Southwest Jr. High in Springdale, Arkansas. She became known in the Springdale School District as "Special Edna", and even had a license tag for the front of her car with that name. She retired from the Springdale School District, Southwest Jr. High, in 2009 after nearly 29 years of teaching. Although Edna found satisfaction in teaching, she retired in 2009 to take care of and spend time with her husband, the love of her life, who had by then been diagnosed with Parkinson's. Before it progressed to the point that made travel impossible, John and Edna had two wonderful trips to Germany, one of which was planned by their former foreign exchange student, Johannes Hagemann, who became like another son to them.

Edna found joy in service to her church, Community of Christ, where she was an ordained minister. She held various jobs there: pastor, pianist, Sunday School teacher, secretary, women's leader, and Book Steward. Edna and John delivered Meals on Wheels for many years where Edna made friends with the recipients of those meals; one of those ladies even gave Edna crocheting lessons. Edna and her husband also took donations to 7Hills Homeless Center for many years. Edna collected soda cans to give to her previous school to be used by a special education class. Crushing the cans provided physical therapy for some of the students. The crushed cans would then be sold to a recycling center, and the proceeds would go towards purchasing a yearbook for each student in the class. Edna, along with her husband, participated in the Veteran's Day Assembly each year for many years at Southwest Jr. High. Edna was usually asked to read one or more poems. Edna hosted and led a Women's Bible Study in their home for many years. Edna loved to keep busy in worthwhile activities. One summer she made over 100 garments to be sent to children in Uganda. Edna loved people and was frequently seen visiting neighbors, visiting friends in nursing homes, or spending time with friends and family. Edna loved the Lord and served Him to the best of her ability through her many acts of kindness and service to others. In addition to her love for the Lord, Edna found her greatest joy in being a wife, mother, grandmother, Gigi, and friend.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, several half-brothers and a half sister whom she never knew from her father's first family, her half-brother Welby Beaty and her half- sister Wanda Adamson from her father's first family whom she did know and love, her brother James Beaty, and her beloved husband, who passed in January 2022.

Edna is survived by her son John H. Rothwell III of Springdale, Arkansas; daughter Sharon (Larry) Rollins of Ozark, Arkansas; son Chris Rothwell (Norma) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; grandchildren Megan (Caleb) Lueck, Gipsye (Drew) Robinson, Harrison Rollins, Carolina Rothwell (CJ Tyson), Simon Rothwell (Chloe Williams); and three great-grandsons: Shepherd Robinson, Elliott Lueck, and Bishop Robinson. She is also survived by her honorary son Johannes (Laura) Hagemann of Chicago, Illinois; two sisters: Lois Bryson and Wilda Weaver of Missouri; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

Visitation 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Heritage Funeral Home of Springdale. Funeral service will begin 12:00 p.m., with Elder Mike Johnson officiating. Graveside services to follow at 1:30 p.m. in Fayetteville National Cemetery of Fayetteville. Donations can be made in her name to Willard Walker Hospice Home 325 E. Longview St. Fayetteville, AR 72703.

Pallbearers: Harrison Rollins, Simon Rothwell, Drew Robinson, CJ Tyson, Caleb Lueck and Carolina Rothwell.