Obituaries

Edith Morrow Osborne

Photo of Edith  Morrow  Osborne
Edith was indomitable. No task was too large; no chore too heavy. She carried huge undertakings forward with automatic grace and true charm. Barely an adult with husband Ike serving in Korea, Edith took the maximum load of college courses, held a job, and pursued nursing on her 'night off'. When Ike shipped back in, Edith drove through a blizzard to meet him in Colorado in the new car she had purchased. With four growing daughters, she took it upon herself to form the Girl's Softball League in Camden by organizing teams, enlisting coaches, sponsors, and all the other volunteers. Long before a Boys and Girls Club was conceived, she appropriated one day a week for girls to take over the 'Boy's Club'. Her efforts benefited the young women as well as young men and built the city. Edith enlisted family, friends, and their friends to see to home-bound seniors. She eventually ran out of enough delegates to care for all the elders. A long-term care facility seemed to be the simplest answer and that became the foundation of the family business. At the height of her powers mid-life, she ran the family home with its five children and executive husband, administrated that first family-owned nursing home, and presided over the Junior Auxiliary. Lists and assignments made every thing and every one work. The Camden Junior Auxiliary cohort dubbed her "The Little General". She missed no opportunity to celebrate family and friends. Hospitality was central to her life. (This is why she always needed big houses.) There were parties, bible studies, reunions of everything imaginable, messy baking sessions for the grand kids, swimming parties for their schools, sleeping quarters for missionaries, hamburger nights for one and all. Sunday meant church and any Sunday evening Edith and Ike might invite the large congregation to their home for food, refreshment, and fellowship. For decades Edith's home was Grand Central Station with four generations of busy Osbornes coming and going with their feigned hunger, joys, sorrows, awards, boo boos, and more. Patient and kind no matter the challenge, Edith made it all happen smiling all the way. Edith's kindness and generosity were indisputable and appreciated by all who knew her. At the heart of all her qualities was unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. It is his character she carried, his love she shared, and his word she held in her heart above all else. It is his peace that carried her so sweetly into his fullest presence. At the end of her time on this earth, her natural grace touched the hospital aides, home nurses, and even the oncologists. She consistently thanked each one for their service even when they delivered the most grave news. Edith Osborne was a model of nobility for all to strive toward. Her legacy of grace, administration, hospitality, generosity, kindness, gratefulness, and Kingdom living is planted in her progeny. May she witness it mature and multiply as we move our generational family destiny forward. Our family treasure moved into her biggest and best house yet Saturday, March 17, 2018. Edith Morrow Osborne, born February 27, 1931 was preceded in death by her husband, M.N. (Ike) Osborne. She is survived by five children all in Texarkana; Gwen Osborne with husband Harvey Woods, Brenda Osborne, David Osborne with wife Vanessa, Sheila Osborne Wagnon with husband Richard, and Anna Osborne Walthall with husband Terry in addition to numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All will miss her greatly. We know Heaven will run more smoothly now. Family and friends are invited to drop in and join us to celebrate the life of Edith M. Osborne. There will be a remembrance on Saturday, April 7th at the Omega Building, 216 Olive St., in Texarkana Arkansas between the hours of 10 am and Noon.

Published March 22, 2018

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