of Lamar, AR
February 18, 1981 - July 13, 2021
Melissa L. Edwards, 40, of Lamar, passed away July 13, 2021. She was born, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on February 18, 1981, to Charles Kaney and Dianna (Vaughn) Sadler. Melissa was the most proud and adoring mother of three boys, Caleb, Ethan and Gavyn. She was always there as their #1 fan, in everything they did. She was a loving wife to John M. Edwards. She followed them everywhere, camera in hand, and made certain she supported them to the fullest in all their endeavors and every adventure.
She poured her heart and soul into her family, school and community. She loved her son's friends and the students she taught at Lamar High School. She treated them as if they were her own. There was nothing that she wouldn't do to help a student in need: from prom dresses, letterman jackets, tuxedos, to rides across the state, to and from ballgames in her ''Tahoe Taxi''. She captured every moment with her camera, as the leader of the ''Mama-Razzi''. Pictures, so many pictures! Melissa began her life and graduated high school as a Fountain Lake Cobra, but she became a warrior, a Lamar Warrior, a true warrior. She embodied ''Warrior Nation'' and was the personification of the ''Warrior Spirit'' with the spirit she had! She was the last one to leave the football field every Friday night, savoring the moment with the ones she loved.
She was the one you wanted on your side, her tenacity and loyalty unmatched. Melissa dedicated every moment of her life to the ones she loved. She was beautiful, her heart and soul were just as beautiful as she was on the outside.
Melissa loved fiercely her high school sweetheart, John, a blessed union of 19 years. She was the most dedicated and devoted wife. Melissa's pride and adoration for her husband was undeniable. Melissa was a proud Army wife and a true patriot, who promoted service to country with the same enthusiasm as she served her husband and family.
Melissa loved her family and friends. To be a friend was to be family. She loved God and Jesus, Melissa shared the message of her Lord and Savior with her boys with a quiet tenderness, that shaped their love for Jesus. Her faith in God ran deep and could not be shaken.
Melissa touched the lives of so many and the love she showed is evident in the outpouring of love by her community. The lives of her family, her friends, her school and her community will never be the same, but she will always be with them. We love you Melissa, our time with you was truly a blessing and a gift.
Though we will lay her down in the green grass, we will look to her in God's perfect heaven, where she is with us, forever and always.
There will be a celebration of Melissa's life at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2021, at the Lamar High School Gymnasium, with Bro. Kevin Spencer officiating. Interment will follow in Lamar Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Lamar Booster Club
301 Elberta Street
Lamar, Arkansas 72846
Or
https://gofund.me/7e7dc0f3
Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home (479) 754-2201. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
💜Missy💜
I pray you find peace. You have a natural sense of style with enormous amounts of Grace. Not many people can say they have beauty and Grace. You are also a giver. You always know when to jump in to “save the dayâ€. All this sure makes for a naturally beautiful person - because beautiful things are never perfect…..the beauty is in the imperfections. I 💜 you very much!
Kaney and Edwards family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You will all be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time. With deepest condolences.
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful daughter Melissa. May God be with you all in this sad time.
Melissa was definitely a bright star in this dark world. She will be truly missed.
Melissa was a sweetheart with a gracious soul. Every interaction I had with her was pleasant and lighthearted. She was always smiling every time I saw her. Her love for her family and community always radiated from her in all she did. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Melissa was was possibly the most beautiful person I have ever known. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you John and the boys and family!
Gone from our sight but never from our hearts. â¤ï¸
Such a beautiful soul that was called home at an early age! Sending prayers for the family!
Sending prayers to the Edwards family Fly high dear friend you will definitely be missed by many . With ⤠Deanna and Kimbra
No words can express how sorry I am for your loss. Melissa was so beautiful with a heart full of love for her husband and three sons. Prayers for John, their three sons and family.
May you feel the love of GOD during this difficult time.
Praying for all of you at this time! Prayers for healing and peace from our Lord and Savior! So sorry for your loss and y’all are in our prayers!!!
Melissa was a beautiful lady with a big smile and big personality! She will be missed by many!! I pray God gives His strength and comfort to John and her precious boys!!! Love and continued prayers!! Mrs. Schrimsher
My family did not know Mrs. Edwards but being in the Johnson County community we have heard of the loss that is being felt. The obituary is such a lovely tribute to what sounds like a beautiful wife, mother, teacher and friend. Heaven gained another angel but she will stay by your side throughout your eternity. May God comfort her husband and sons through such a loss. May the community heal along side the family and all be better souls from her loving touch.
You were such an amazing woman who always cared about her family & Warrior family. To have known you was such a blessing, rest in peace beautiful!!
Thank you for always being a school momma to my babies!! I always admired your smile and our goofy talks about hair and makeup!!
♥ï¸â™¥ï¸â™¥ï¸â™¥ï¸ Thanks for teaching my grand kids. An being a leader.
I'm very sorry for your loss. We love you all too. We will keep you all in my prayers. God bless you all too.
I never had you in class but as I seen you throughout the halls or in Mrs. Dunn’s you always seemed so happy. Prayers for the family friends and many other for healing as you will dearly be missed. Rest easy Mrs.Edwardsâ¤ï¸
Our loss here on Earth, your Victory in Jesus. Until we meet again….
Heaven gained a beautiful soul. She will be missed by so many.....
I’m gonna miss you so much Mrs. Edwards. You were a joy to have 4 times a day my senior year. You let me rant to you about so much stuff and gave me so much advice. You became a very important role model to me. Rest easy in heaven.ðŸ¤
How much am I going to miss our poster painting , picture taking and hallway chats and rants. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. My prayers and love to you John and those sweet boys.
Melissa was a wonderful person to be around. We watched her rally and support at every football game, inviting friends of the boys over and welcoming them into her home when they had nowhere else to go. She could be found in her classroom talking about how proud she was of each of her boys. She was a proud military mom and she showed that every day. If you needed advice, she was there in your corner. Our hearts go out to her family. Fly high Mrs. EdwardsðŸ¤ðŸ•Š
So sad to hear. Prayers with family especially Rebekah.
Melissa will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and love for her family. Her Legacy will continue on through her boys and those fortunate enough to have known her. Blessings to her boys, John and family!
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife and Mother. I always enjoyed our visits about the flowers we both loved. Prayers for peace and comfort throughout this difficult time.
I never got to meet you guys, but I heard so many wonderful things. From everything I have read, I know Melissa will be missed dearly. I am praying for each & every one of you. My heart goes out to the Edwards family. â¤ï¸ðŸ•Š
My prayers and thoughts are with all family and friends of Melissa. I’m so very sorry for the loss you all are experiencing. She always had a beautiful smile, and the love she had for her boys shown brightly. May God give you all the peace and comfort only He can give during such a heartbreaking time.
Love,
Jessilyn Roper
Our world is a little dimmer. You were one of the good ones! RIP Melissa
What a beautiful angel. Our hearts go out to the family. Prayers for comfort and healing
My heart breaks for this family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Suzie and I are so sorry for being y’all’s loss.
This just doesn't even seem real. Our hearts are broken for losing such a special person in so many people's lives. May God somehow bring comfort and peace to all who are hurting and grieving at this time and in the future from this heartbreaking loss.
You and your family are in our prayers. I am sorry for your loss.
To the family. I am so sorry for ur loss and I'm truly lost for words. She has touched so many of us and everyone has a story. She taught my son Alex Kemp she took my daughters wedding photos I was able to spend that whole day and evening with her. I went to lunch with her we rode back and forth together and I got to know her not as the photographer but as a friend. She will be truly missed. RIP Melissa Edward's. Pray for u all for strength, peace. ðŸ™ðŸ’œ
So sorry for your loss prayers for the family
So sorry to hear of Melissa's passing! Prayers for the family.
So sorry to hear of Melissa’s Passing .
The Family is in our Hearts, Thoughts, and Prayers.
You guys are in our thoughts and prayers.
Melissa was always an extremely kind and funny woman, easy to talk to, and almost every conversation you would have with her would end up leading to her family and how much she loved them. Am I truly sorry for the great loss that her husband and kids have experienced and will always remember her fondly.
There is a hole in my heart your life will be missed by many love you mostly mostly
I never had you in class but as I seen you throughout the halls or in Mrs. Dunn’s you always seemed so happy. Prayers for the family friends and many other for healing as you will dearly be missed. Rest easy Mrs.Edwardsâ¤ï¸
May you spread your angel wings in heaven and fly with your beautiful smile as you continue to influence and protect those around you. Prayers for your family as they learn to traverse this world on your memory. May God bless & protect your memory with us all.
Donna Watts
John, I am so sorry to hear of Melissa's passing. I remember her smile always as she would talk about the kids and you. I wish I could take the pain away for you and the boys. I am so sorry. Prayers for all.