Edith Burge Hancock
June 5, 1930 – October 11, 2022
Edith was the first-born child to Coy and Elizabeth Burge on June 5, 1930. She was born at home around noon and as years went on, her family grew to include siblings Kitty, Coy Jr., Henry, Harold, Verla, and Dennis.
Family was one of the most important things in life to Edith, and some of her favorite childhood memories included her grandfather who she referred to as a jolly man who always had a nickel and a smile for her. She also recalled her grandma making the best cookies, baking several batches all day long for the grandkids. In fact, her grandma made so many cookies each day she had to keep them in a number 3 butter churn instead of a regular cookie jar.
Growing up, Edith’s family farmed for a living, and she went on to graduate from Oil Trough high school in 1948. The small school had about 200 kids in attendance and her graduating class had a total of 14 students.
After graduating Edith made her way to Newport, Arkansas where she got her first job with the dentist, Dr. Troy Gray making $15 a week. She warmly referred to this period in her life and recounted time she spent with dear friends dancing the jitterbug and enjoying an RC cola or Moon Pie for a mere 5 cents.
Edith would soon meet the love her life, John Hancock. Edith and John married on May 20, 1950 and had two daughters-Libby and Kathy. The family settled in Tuckerman, Arkansas and built years of beautiful memories within the walls of their home on Jim Denton Street.
Cooking was a skill Edith learned early in life, and she delighted hundreds with her meals over the years. One place her love of cooking and fellowship shined was as a member of the United Methodist Church in Tuckerman. She made and carried countless dishes to fellow church members and never missed an opportunity to serve or let others know they were loved.
Edith also loved celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with family and grandchildren because she knew it meant everyone would be together. She loved Christmas so much she would spend the entire year coming up with a new decoration theme for the tree. For many years, she told her husband John all she wanted was a mink stole. When John finally surprised her with this treasured gift one Christmas she was overjoyed. She wrote in her journal that it cost a whole crop!
She spent her career working alongside John at their family business in Tuckerman and once she and John retired, Edith never stopped being an active member in the community. One example of community service was when Edith’s love of history was reignited, and she became involved in the Trails to Tuckerman Historical Society by helping source interviews and host fundraisers. The energy and enthusiasm of Edith will be missed by all who knew her.
Edith was preceded in death by her husband, John Hancock; her parents, Coy Burge and Elizabeth Melton and one brother, Coy Burge, Jr. and son-in-law Jerry Cole.
Edith is survived by: sister, Kitty Ann McMullin; brother, Henry Douglas and wife Charlene Burge; brother, Harold and wife Pat Burge; Verla and husband Martine Brown; brother Dennis and wife Betty Burge; daughter Libby Cole; daughter Kathy and husband Eugene Howard; granddaughter, Makala “Callie” and husband Brett Pollard; great-grandsons Josh and Nathan Pollard; great-granddaughter Shelby Pollard; granddaughter Megan and husband Justin Doyle; great-grandson Sam Doyle and great-granddaughter Mackenzie Doyle and many more nieces, nephews, greats and a lifetime of friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Edith’s name to either United Methodist Church of Tuckerman or the Trails to Tuckerman Historical Society.
Graveside services were 2 p.m. Thursday at Gracelawn Cemetery.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
