Edna Louise Bell was born July 1, 1931 in Washington, Oklahoma the daughter of Milton and Louise (Doerr) Bell. She grew up in Johnson County, Arkansas with her mother and 2 siblings after the untimely death of her father. She attended high school at Lamar, Arkansas.She married Keith Alexander May 28, 1949 in Montague, Texas after a whirlwind two-week romance. Their married life was full of adventure as Keith worked in the oil business. Work took them to Odessa, Lafayette, Denver, Dallas, Midland, Duncan, Vernal, and Tyler and some locations multiple times.Edna proudly raised three sons and loved their wives: Keith Jr. and Janice (Stone) Alexander of Lake Kiowa, Texas; Kent and Shirlee (Meissner) Alexander of Midland, Texas; and Kirk and Janet (Green) Alexander of Maypearl, Texas.After raising her sons, she went back to school and took courses in Archeology, Biblical Studies and Anthropology at Southern Methodist University and other community colleges.Edna loved and spoiled her five grandchildren Kristi Alexander Smith, Kandi Alexander Allen, Summer Alexander Merritt, Aaron Alexander, and Trey Alexander Mertens.Her twelve great grandchildren brought her much love and joy: Katie Smith, Alex Smith, Emily Smith, Kristian Allen, Keaton Allen, Max Merritt, Alexandra Louise Merritt, Luke Alexander, Anna Alexander, Benjamin Alexander, Olivia Alexander, and Zoey Mertens.Edna was looking forward to knowing her first great-great grandson, Jensen Allen.She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Keith Alexander; infant son Kyle Alexander; parents Milton and Louise (Doerr) Bell; sisters Mary Ann Gentry, Evelyn Hawkins, and Mildred Freed; and brothers Lester Bell and Eugene Bell.Edna painted and read avidly, taught herself German, took flying lessons, decorated many homes (rearranging furniture was a favorite pastime), and traveled extensively. She was a life-long learner who passed along her love of learning to her children and grandchildren. Her favorite travels abroad were to China, The Holy Land, and Germany. Edna loved sharing slides, photos and treasures from her adventures. She and Keith also covered many miles in country roads across the United States.Edna volunteered always. It was likely her calling in life, whether she realized it or not. She spent many hours with her boys at Sunday school, leading Vacation Bible School, acting as PTA president and Boy Scout Den Mother. She spent countless hours in hospital surgical recovery rooms, delivering flowers to sick strangers and loved ones alike, working with her son, Kirk, at the Children's Rehabilitation Center, painting other people's houses, purchasing and delivering groceries to those in need, and just \doing\ what needed to be done. Edna was always the advocate for the less fortunate, the underdog, and the downtrodden. People never had to ask her to help or how to help, she just did it. Her volunteering was never out of obligation or for self-serving means; rather, she saw a need and met it.Everything she did was with grace, love, strength and determination. All who knew and loved her know that she would like nothing more than her legacy of philanthropy to be perpetuated. On that note, in lieu of flowers, Edna would have preferred a donation to Hospice Midland, The West Texas Food Bank, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer research.The family would like to thank Dr. Premila Johnson and Manor Park for their compassionate care.A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Flower Mound Presbyterian Church in Flower Mound, Texas. All floral offerings should be directed to Flower Mound Presbyterian Church.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
