of St. Joe, AR

October 7, 1937 - March 10, 2026

Edna Lou Grinder, age 88 of St. Joe, Arkansas passed from this earthly life on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 at Cox Health in Branson, Missouri. She was born in St. Joe, Arkansas on October 7th, 1937 to James Howard Keeling and Alma Heath Keeling. Edna Lou married E.G. Grinder on January 15th, 1955. They were married for 50 years before his death in 2005.

Edna was a life-long resident of St. Joe. She was a lady with a strong Christian faith in her Lord and Savior. She attended the St. Joe Baptist Church. Edna Lou was very community minded, from playing piano at Sunday service, working polls on election days, quilt groups to monthly luncheons; she helped and participated in most community events. Edna Lou held an annual music festival in St. Joe, which the family plans to continue in her honor. Music was central in her life. She collected and played a number of instruments, including psaltery, banjo, organ, piano, multiple harmonicas and guitars. She taught students in her home and was active in music creativity for children in the church. Throughout her life, Edna went all around the Ozarks participating in as many community sings and music gatherings as she could. She belonged to several singing groups, notably one that volunteered at a number of nursing homes and also did some live recordings. Edna Lou always made time for children, volunteering in her younger days at St. Joe Head Start, and later in life, orchestrating community events to bring children and their families together. She liked games (being nearly undefeatable at Chinese checkers) and bicycles, both of which played an important role in raising her children and grandchildren. When recently asked what her favorite thing was to do as a little girl, she replied, ''Riding my bicycle around St. Joe on the same streets I still walk.'' Edna continued in this reminiscing moment by recalling her trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico and flying a helicopter in Arizona. She said with a sincere smile, ''I've had a wonderful life.''

Survivors include her sons, Donald Ray Grinder and wife Nancy of Leslie and Ronald Dale Grinder and wife Donna of St. Joe; grandchildren, Bambi Kay Grinder and husband Daniel Harris of Springfield, MO, Matthew Brian Grinder and wife Tracy of St. Joe, and Keyna LaCole Kelley of St. Joe; great-grandchildren, Matthew Ross Grinder and Caleb Martin Grinder, both of St. Joe; and many extended family and dear friends who will also mourn her passing.

Edna Lou is preceded in death by her parents, James and Alma Keeling; her husband, E.G. Grinder; and one brother, Kenneth Ray Keeling.

Graveside services for Edna Lou will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 at Osborne Cemetery in St. Joe, Arkansas with Bro. Terry Knapp officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 till 11:00 AM Wednesday preceding the graveside service and will be held at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas. Bearers will be Bambi Grinder, Daniel Harris, Matthew Grinder, Tracy Grinder, Keyna Kelley, Ross Grinder and Caleb Grinder. Honorary bearers will be the Staff at Cox South in the CCU unit. Burial will follow the graveside service where Edna will be laid to rest beside her husband, E.G. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers donations may be made at Bank 1889 in Marshall, Arkansas for Edna Lou's Music Park. Donations will help to keep Edna Lou's music festival alive and thriving.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com