Edna Fern Ezell – Fairhope, AL (formerly of Benton, IL)

Edna Fern Ezell, 90, of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away Monday, October 4, 2021, at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

Eddi was born March 24, 1931, in rural Benton, Illinois to Sherman Franklin and Anise Gayer Ezell. She was formerly from Naperville, Illinois; Prescott Valley, Arizona and Benton Illinois. She graduated from Frankfort Community High School in the class of 1949. Eddi attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois; Illinois State Normal University and North Central College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in education. She earned a Master of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University. While at Illinois State Normal she was a member of Gamma Pi.

Eddi was a retired special education teacher and took great pride in her career and her love of children. She loved to travel. She was also an avid quilter and a quilt appraiser. She was a gifted artist, creating many beautiful quilts and paintings. She spent many years researching family genealogy and loved traveling across the countryside researching old records and cemeteries. Eddi was a member of the Fairhope Community Church in Fairhope, Alabama. Eddi was an avid sports follower of several teams with the mascot of a Cardinal or a Red Bird, therefore her favorite bird was, of course, the Cardinal. She always said every time you see a cardinal that is a reminder of loved ones. Every Cardinal from now on will remind us of our precious Eddi.

Eddi is survived by her son, Roy Andrew “Randy” of Naperville, Il., her granddaughter, Tiffany and husband, Tom Alagna of Pingree Grove, Illinois, and three great-grandchildren, Brookelynn, Colette and Jacob Jeffery. She is also survived by her sister, Judith Summers of Fairhope, Alabama, sister-in-law, Bonnie Ezell, brother-in-law, Jon Blomquist, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Donald Ezell and a sister, Della Sue Blomquist. She is also preceded in death by her son, Scott Jeffery Upton.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Bethel Cemetery located at 11442 Charles Kern Lane, Benton, Illinois. (This is between Benton and West Frankfort) Following the service a meal will be served at the T Street Pub in Christopher, Il. The address is 105 N. Thomas St in Christopher. All are welcome to come celebrate with family and friends the wonderful life of Edna Fern. In honor of her favorite color wear something with the color purple or lavender.

Donations can be made in Eddi’s name to the Bethel Cemetery Association. Mail donations to Cheryl Tindall-Borcky at 1106 East Main Street, Benton, Il. 62812.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com