Beverly Regina Powell Edwards

Beverly Regina Powell Edwards, 60 years wise, was born May 2, 1962 to Luevenia Powell Keaton and the late Earnett Barber in Little Rock, Arkansas at University Hospital. She attended Stuttgart Public Schools and the Historically Black College Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. While at Langston, Beverly was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. After her college stay, she began working and traveling. Beverly enjoyed life and spent years in Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, and returned to Stuttgart, Arkansas around 2007. She later moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas and finished her work career managing an apartment complex until her health began to decline.

Beverly confessed her hope in Christ at an early age under the leadership of the late Rev. G.H. Wade at Allen Temple MB Church in Stuttgart. During her stays in other places, she remained a member of Allen Temple MB Church, currently under the leadership of Rev. Gilbert Byrd, Jr. In 1990, Beverly married Billy Edwards, who proceeded her in death. To this union no children were born. Beverly was a loving and caring daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She had many nicknames: Bev, Bev Powell, Aunt Bev, Ms. Powell, Ms. Beverly, Ms. Edwards, and was later assigned as GAB (Great Aunt Beverly). Beverly loved traveling, shopping, casinos, card games, couponing, planning events, and cooking. She always said that “presentation is everything” with the food. Beverly also loved “running the show”. She began the planning of her mother’s surprise 80th birthday party from her hospital bed. That celebration came into fruition in November 2022 as Beverly was hospitalized and could only attend in spirit. Bev had an eye for fashion, which showed in her dressy style and fancy hats. She made an everlasting impression when entering the room. Her couponing bargains were shared with family, friends, strangers, the elderly, neighbors, schools, and food pantries.

Beverly transitioned to her Heavenly Home on the evening of Wednesday, February 15, 2023. She was preceded in death by her stillborn twin sister, father and dad Y.Z. Keaton, biological father Earnett Barber, sister Cynthia Barber Mills, brothers Demarcus Keaton and Orlando Keaton, and special friend Melvin Lagrone. Beverly is also preceded in death by her grandparents John Powell Sr. & Bertha Powell and George & Mabel Barber, aunts Maxine Powell Smith and Evelyn Barber Frye, and uncles John Powell Jr., Henry Powell, Gene Powell, and Charlie John Barber.

Beverly’s legacy, love and memories will forever imprint in the minds and hearts of her mother Luevenia Powell Keaton of Stuttgart, AR; six sisters Cherlye Barber of Stuttgart, AR, Felicia Powell Thompkins (Raymond) of Whites Creek, TN, Valarie Brown (Wayne) of St. Louis, MO, Claudia Edwards (Michael) of Pontoon Beach, IL, Dana Barber Steward of St. Louis, MO, and Donna Keaton Wilchie (Tyrone) of Conway, AR; three brothers Cedric Barber (Renee) of North Little Rock, AR, Dion Keaton (Monica) of Hendersonville, TN ,and Arnandez Washington of East St. Louis, IL; brother-in-law Carl Mills of Hazen, AR; sister-in-law Cynthia Nevils Keaton of Madison, TN; goddaughter LaTaaka Harvey of Wilmar, AR; and god grandson Davian Mayo of Memphis, TN.

Wonderful memories of Beverly will also remain etched in the hearts and minds of her five uncles Roy Powell, Charlie Powell, Bennie Lee Powell (Rose), Frank Powell (Vera), and Robert Powell (Gert); three aunts Bettie Powell, Iola Hardman, and Mary Ann (Robert) Walker; twelve nephews Triston Thompkins (April), Trent Thompkins, Amahad Barber, Cedric Barber Jr., Joe D. Young II, Khalid Mills, Kalon Mills, Kyren Mills, Wayne Brown II, Lacy Mack, Demarcus A. Keaton, and Cameron Keaton; five nieces Monique Barber, Taylor Edwards, Aaliyah Brown, Morgan Keaton, and Antwanette Wilchie; two great nephews Adam Penn and Layson Mack; four great nieces Amari Stewart, Alena and Mayla Thompkins, and Brooklyn Mills; and a host of cousins, relatives, classmates, and friends.

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