of Harrison, AR

March 23, 1930 - December 14, 2024

Edna Burdine, age 94, of Harrison, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, three months after her husband, Robert, of 66 years passed. She was born March 23, 1930, in Hasty, Arkansas, often saying she grew up on the Buffalo River. She was the daughter of the late Rufus and Betty (Garner) Waters. Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents and her siblings, William (Buster) Waters, Arnold Waters, Lura Gillispie, and Loydene Davis Wilson.

Edna graduated from Jasper High School in 1947 where she played basketball. After graduating she moved to Michigan to live with her uncle and aunt, Tom and Sarah Garner. Edna and Robert Burdine were married on May 31, 1958. They were active members of the First Baptist Church in Jasper, hosting many showers and meals. She played on the Jasper Women's Town Basketball team with her friend, Verba Bell. She was the bookkeeper for Robert as he managed the Farmer's Co-op, then went to work as a Head Start Teacher while living in Jasper.

Edna and Robert played a card game (Rook) with their friends CB and Charlene Hudson and Fred and Verba Bell. They also traveled to most of the 50 states with these friends. They had a generational bond that continues with those children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to this day!

The family moved to Harrison in 1973, Edna stayed home and raised their two younger daughters. She and Robert hosted many of the girls' youth group events from First Baptist Church. Edna always made sure there was plenty of food and fun to be had when people were in her home. She was an excellent cook; many guests reaped the bounty of her cooking. She was also featured in the Harrison Daily Times as the "Cook of the Week", sharing some of her favorite and most popular recipes.

Edna taught children's Sunday School for several years at First Baptist Church in Harrison. She was also an active member of the JOY Sunday School class where she lived out the focus of JOY Jesus, Others, You. She could often be heard saying ''Praise the Lord'' and telling her caregivers ''Thank You'' especially as her thoughts weren't as clear as they once had been.

Edna has been described as having a big memorable smile and a hearty laugh! She and Robert loved taking their grandchildren on trips and special outings. Edna was always up for a good time. She danced with her grandchildren at their weddings, went out on four-wheel rides, rode wave-runners and jumped into a swimming pool at the age of 85!

Edna is survived by her daughters, Beverly (Tom) Stokes of Harrison, Robin Campbell of Bolivar, Missouri, Renetta (Mark) Mistler of Harrison; her step-daughter, Ricki (Rod) Kirchhoff of Hallsville, Missouri; her grandchildren and (great-grandchildren), Ryan and wife, Julie Kirchhoff of Centralia, Missouri (Brayden and Maddie); Jeri and husband, Jason Redding of Harrison; Heath and wife, Misty Jones of Harrison (Bryce, Landrie, Rhett, and Viviann); Tonia Stokes of Harrison; Reid Kirchhoff of Naples, Florida (Allie); Brandon and wife, Vicki Mistler of Russellville, Arkansas (Emi, Connor and Ollie); Clayton and wife, Samantha Campbell of Bolivar, Missouri (Weston); Brent and wife, Mandy Mistler of Harrison (Luke, Levi and Elijah); Cory and wife, Promise Campbell of Springfield, Missouri (Remington "Remy") and Caleb and wife, Rachel Campbell of Springfield (Rilian).


Visitation was on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Roller Christeson Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Harrison.

The interment will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

The pallbearers are Heath Jones, Bryce Jones, Jason Redding, Clayton Campbell, Cory Campbell, Caleb Campbell, Brandon Mistler, and Brent Mistler.


A special mention to Fawn Day for helping with Edna's care at her home as well as the kind, loving staff at Hillcrest Home.


Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Harrison Memorial Fund, PO Box 996, Harrison, Arkansas or Silver Valley Church, 2262 Milam Cemetery Rd, Harrison, Arkansas.

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