Edna Lou Stewart, age 76, passed away on March 10, 2026.

Edna Lou Stewart, age 76, passed peacefully from this life on March 10, 2026. Born on February 19, 1950, she was a woman of quiet grace and steady love who lived a life rich with family, faith, and the simple joy of being exactly where she was meant to be — whether that was her own kitchen, curled up with a good mystery on television, or sitting at her favorite slot machine with Michael by her side.

Born in California, Edna Lou carried a quiet adventurous spirit wherever life took her. At the age of 26, she made her way to Missouri, putting down roots first in Richwoods and later in the Ozark community of Hollister. These were years of building a home, raising daughters, and becoming the steady heart of a growing family. At 68, she made one final move to Springdale, Arkansas, where she spent her last years surrounded by the people she loved most.

At the center of Edna Lou’s world was her family. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Michael Wayne Stewart, the partner of her greatest adventures and her most ordinary, beautiful days. Together they created a home defined by warmth and unconditional love. As a mother, she gave everything she had to her three daughters — Regina Marie Atkins, Julie Lynn Filtingberger, and Joyce Ann Sorokes — each one a reflection of the love she poured out so freely and so fully.

Her grandchildren — Michael Stewart, Adam Filtingberger, Kala Melton, Brooke Spencer, and Jeremey Stewart— knew a grandmother whose love asked nothing in return and gave everything without hesitation. Her soft smile said more than words ever could, and those who were on the receiving end of it knew exactly how cherished they were. She was also blessed with numerous great-grandchildren, each one a precious addition to the family she loved so deeply.

Edna Lou had a gift in the kitchen that her family will never forget. Her famous olive dip made its appearance every holiday season, and a gathering simply wasn’t complete without it. At Christmastime, she had another beloved tradition — handing out scratch-off lottery tickets to everyone, filling the room with laughter and anticipation as the family scratched away together. These were the moments that made Edna Lou’s home feel like the best place on earth. When it came to dining out, she knew exactly what she wanted — cashew chicken, but only the kind made in southwest Missouri. That distinctive style, unique to the Ozarks, was the only version worth having, and she never settled for anything less.

One of Edna Lou’s greatest joys was a weekly trip to the casino with Michael. She had a particular love for the slot machines, and the outcome of a session told its own quiet story — she’d come home lit up and happy if she’d won even a few dollars, and a little quieter if the machines hadn’t cooperated. Either way, it was time well spent with the man she loved, and that was always worth more than any jackpot.

At home, Edna Lou could often be found settled in with her favorite television programs — classic game shows, programs about ghost stories, and a good murder mystery never failed to hold her attention. She loved the open road just as much, setting off on road trips with different family members each time, winding through new places and always finding an adventure along the way. She held her faith privately and closely, a quiet but constant source of strength that guided her through all of life’s seasons.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Michael Wayne Stewart; daughters Regina Marie Atkins, Julie Lynn Filtingberger, and Joyce Ann Sorokes; grandchildren Michael Stewart, Adam Filtingberger, Kala Melton, Brooke Spencer, and Jeremey Stewart; numerous great-grandchildren; one surviving sibling; and a host of extended family and dear friends whose lives were made richer for knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley White and Jewell White; and by her siblings, Leon White, Johnny White, Steve White, Nancy Melani, and Cheryl Riddick.