of Benton, AR
November 11, 1946 - July 24, 2023
Dr. Edna Ellen Yancey
1946-2023
Edna Ellen Yancey was born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 11, 1946, the daughter of John Lewis and Frances Etowa Wiles Yancey of Marked Tree, Arkansas. She died on July 24, 2023 at Heartland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Benton, after a lengthy illness.
Edna received her BSE at Arkansas State University. After a few years of teaching English elsewhere, she found her true calling at Benton Public Schools, where she remained for the next 39 years, until her retirement in 2012. In the mid-80's, she received her Master's in Gifted Education at UALR and began teaching gifted and talented classes. Several years later, she received her Doctorate from Memphis State University, yet chose to remain at Benton Middle School to teach the students she loved.
Edna was known for her original curriculum units for gifted and talented classes, as well as for co-authoring a book of gifted curriculum, "The Preadolescent: A Handbook of Middle School Classroom Strategies (1997)" with Dr. Mary Prentice of UALR. She was especially adept at teaching debate to her students. Dr. Yancey considered her students as the children she never had, and she taught with a firm, but loving hand. Friends and students remember her red sports cars, her Pomeranian dogs and her deep, hearty laughter.
Edna attended the Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock and was a member of Arkansas Gifted and Talented Educators (AGATE). She is survived by her sister, Lisa Jon Yancey of Jonesboro; her friends, Judy Bynum of Dermott and Sue Shults of Benton and a host of students and fellow teachers in Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Frances Yancey of Marked Tree. Memorials may be made to the Benton Middle School Gifted Program.
Services for Dr. Yancey will 11:00 am Saturday, July 29, 2023 in the Chapel of Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home, Benton, Arkansas. There will be a visitation at 10:30am, prior to the service. Burial will be in Marked Tree Cemetery at 11:00am on Monday, July 31, 2023..
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3 Condolence(s)
catherine e. abernathy
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
I worked with Edna and truly believe she was called to teach 6th and 7th graders. She did a professional job with heart and soul, often advocating for kids who were in difficult situations. I believe she has already heard the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Laura Penn
Saturday, July 29, 2023
I had Dr. Yancey many years ago for two diff classes and was very fond of her. Every so often you get a teacher that stands out or makes an impact in your life and she was one of those. I’m saddened to hear of her passing and wish I could have been there today. She was truly one of the greats.
Phyllis Chism Wright
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
So very sorry for your loss. I had Ms. Yancey in Jr. High and loved her class. So very kind and really wanted all of her students to do well. Teaching was definitely her calling. I know she will be missed.