03/31/2026
Frances Beatrice (Stanley) Edwards, 99, of Boonville passed away Sunday, March 26, 2026, at Boone Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation for Frances will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Howard Funeral Home with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Frances was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1926, in Albany, Texas, the daughter of Oliver Elton Stanley, Sr. and Melinda Chandler Stanley. She was baptized in the Methodist Church with water from the Jordan River. She graduated from Albany High School in 1943, the youngest in her class.
On December 9, 1944, she married James (Jim) Maxwell Edwards, Jr. in Fort Worth, Texas. Following the end of World War II, they made their home in Boonville, Missouri. Frances retired in 1992 from Union Electric after more than 30 years.
Frances was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Boonville. She was Past President of the Boonville Business and Professional Women’s Club, a Past President and lifetime member of Post 4072 VFW Auxiliary, serving five terms as President, and a Past Secretary of Boonville Women’s Club. She was also a lifetime member of the Eastern Star and member of the Cooper County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Frances enjoyed belonging to several bridge clubs, her favorite pastime.
During her retirement years, she and her late husband spent 14 delightful winters in South Texas, as “Winter Texans”.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jim; her two younger twin sisters; and her younger brother.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth Maxwell Edwards (Carolyn); her granddaughter Melinda Ellen Richardson (Rodney); her grandson Austin Maxwell Edwards; and her great-grandson Blake Maxwell Richardson, all of Boonville. She also leaves behind two older sisters, along with several special nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard-Millard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.