of North Little Rock, AR

July 2, 1923 - December 3, 2023

Elna F. Stanley of North Little Rock passed away on December 3, 2023 at the age of 100 years old. Elna lived most of her adult life in the Phoenix, AZ area and moved to Arkansas 9 years ago to be closer to family after losing her husband of 72 years.

Born in Bethal, TX to Thomas Everett Funderburk and Ruby Alice Funderburk, she spent her young life in Texas, where she met James Stanley. After marrying, they were stationed in Japan and Germany where James was a Chaplain in the army and in 1960, they moved to Arizona.

Elna graduated college with a Masters in English Literature and taught at the university level. She was very loved and admired by her students and faculty for her love of poetry, her sense of humor and ability to bring a story to life. Elna had a love for classical music and was a very talented piano player. As a minister's wife, she was the pianist at several of their churches throughout their life and organized and wrote musical programs for the choirs and congregations. She was a skillful and avid worker of crossword puzzles. She loved to debate political issues and was very interested in what was going on in the world and with our country. She was a very astute, eloquent and intelligent woman and her demeanor always demanded respect.

Elna was predeceased by her loving husband, James F. Stanley; parents, Thomas and Alice Funderburk; sister, Gladys White and one daughter, Shari Cowell.

She is survived by her children: Carol Martin (Fred), James Stanley III (Colleen); three grandchildren, Gwyn Noland (Clif), Mark Martin (Mary Elizabeth), Melissa Jones (Doug); six great-grandchildren, Andrew Calaway (Erin), James Mitchell Strassle, Lindsey Pigott (Jon), Logan Martin, Katie Burns (Coleson), Kyle Jones and 5 great great-grandchildren, Joni, Hannah and Winnie Calaway, Sawyer and Darby Pigott.

Elna and James' ashes will be laid to rest at the Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in North Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at The Refuge Church, 201 West 4th Street, North Little Rock, AR at 1:00 PM. Celebration to follow at home of Gwyn and Clif Noland, #15 Belair,
North Little Rock, AR 72116.

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