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.
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20 Condolence(s)
Doug & Diane Grinder
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Many precious memories from my childhood around and when staying with uncle EG and aunt Edna Lou, always the same, very purposeful and controlled in everything she did. She was a great example to all.
Sally Wilson
Friday, March 13, 2026
I loved this lady so much and have had so much fun with her❤️ We all will miss her so much ❤️💋❤️
Laurel Watts Clagett
Friday, March 13, 2026
So sorry for your loss ❤️ she a special Lady she will be missed. Prayers for the Family ❤️
Clara Foshee
Friday, March 13, 2026
Prayers of comfort for family
Sarah Paullin
Friday, March 13, 2026
Sweet, wonderful lady ❤️
James and Leada Horton
Friday, March 13, 2026
Ms Edna was a precious, sweet lady. I loved playing a challenging game of Chinese checkers and dominoes (which I never won) with her. Love and prayers to all the family
Vicki Striplin
Friday, March 13, 2026
The short time that I knew Edna was wonderful ! Always enjoyed her , would always wave and say ' HELLO EDNA! driving to and from home if I saw her out in her yard. I'm going to miss that. Wad a part of the once a month ladies lunch on Fridays and Biible study every Wednesday. I will miss you my friend , til we see eachother again. Love you
Peggy Foster
Friday, March 13, 2026
She was sent to comfort us all
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Friday, March 13, 2026
Kids, I'm very sorry for your loss. Edna Lou and I became good friends over the years. She was a fine little lady.
Gary &Susan Nichols
Friday, March 13, 2026
She was such a sweet lady, always with a smile and a hug. She will be greatly missed. Prayers for all of you.
james bolinger
Friday, March 13, 2026
I miss you so much you was good friend in church a kind lady to me you teach me so much I miss your singing
Edna Treat
Friday, March 13, 2026
Diane Holliman
Thursday, March 12, 2026
What a precious lady, her and EG was some of the finest people I ever met.
Pat Holley Halsted
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Prayers of peace and comfort for the entire family
A wonderful lady. She will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
My sympathy to her family.
Mitchel and Renee Barnett
Thursday, March 12, 2026
St Joe will not be the same without her. A kind, Gentle, Quiet, Lady. God has taken his Christian warrior home.
Mark Wadkins
Thursday, March 12, 2026
I knew Edna Lou primarily from the Old Time Singings! You could tell her the name of most songs in the songbook and she could tell you what page number it was by memory! Sadly, a lot of our seasoned singers are no longer singing here! We'll hear them all together one day! "When all of God's singers get home"! My prayers are with all the family, friends, and love ones during this time of loss!
Becki Grinder Melton
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Such a precious, gentle, and beautiful lady inside & out. She will be missed.
Lisa Stewart
Thursday, March 12, 2026
I am so sorry for your loss
James and Jeri White, Coleta Greene and KeJay Woolf
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Our deepest sympathy in your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family