Joann L Edwards

Joann Lucille Naber Edwards, 89, of Little River, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025, at Oak View Health and Rehabilitation in Conway. A brief memorial service will be held at 11:30 on June 9, 2025, at the National Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she will lie in rest with her husband of 35 years, Albert Edwards. Joann is survived by 3 of her 4 children: Katherine (Beth) Edwards (deceased); Anita Edwards-Moore; Joel Edwards; and Pamela Edwards. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Joann was born at home in Osage, Iowa, on December 21st during a snowstorm marking the first day of winter. She was the oldest of 15 children born to Vern Wally Naber and Adeline Estella Cook Naber (both deceased). Joann’s siblings include Evelyn Cook, William Naber (deceased), John Naber (deceased), Roger Naber, David Naber (deceased), Richard (Dick) Naber, Jerry Naber, Linwood (Woody) Naber, Linda Meuller, Phillip Naber, Kathy Naber (deceased), Randy Naber, Robert (Bobby) Naber, and Vern (Huck) Naber, Jr.

Joann grew up initially on a farm in Iowa, where she learned to milk cows, kill chickens and other farming chores. The family then moved throughout the Midwest following work. When she was 14 years old, Joann left school and worked as a “soda jerk” to help support her family. In October 1952 at age 16, Joann married Albert Edwards, who was in the US Air Force and stationed at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, South Dakota. Joann adapted to military life and began volunteering as a member of Family Services while living at Bergstrom AFB near Austin, TX. Joann continued her volunteer work at Barksdale AFB, LA, serving as Family Services Head Coordinator where the base commander recognized her retirement after 10 years of service.

In 1962 at age 26, Joann earned her GED. Nine years later, she began her studies pursuing a degree in accounting attending Airline Community College in Bossier City and Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSUS). After her husband retired in 1973, Joann returned to the workforce. She found success starting as a cashier and then rising to head cashier and trainer as well as being made responsible for the jewelry department and the store’s security. Following the death of her husband in 1987, Joann moved to Dallas and joined Electronic Data Systems. At her retirement in 1997, Ross Perot gave her a special eagle sculpture to mark the occasion.

Joann was an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothes for her family and friends including a wedding dress for one of her daughters. An avid gardener, she planted a pine tree that stands in her memory at the Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, FL where she lived for 15 years.