Edith Marlene Montgomery

Edith Marlene Montgomery, age 80, was born September 2, 1941, to James Leslie and Nettie Esther (Huggins) Cogburn. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, when she won her long battle over Alzheimer’s. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends, with much healing laughter and prayer.

Edith was a person full of fun and laughter for much of her life. As a girl and young woman, she grew up playing instruments and singing with her brothers and sisters. She loved camping and fishing and was an excellent shot. She, especially, loved to take her grandchildren fishing, swimming, camping and on picnics when they were young.

She loved hosting and entertaining people. She was skilled in many areas to include sketching and painting, sewing, refinishing furniture and upholstery work.  Edith only had two formal lessons on the piano, but she learned how to play by taking tips from and watching others. She would learn how to play various instruments, then teach others how to play those instruments; thereby, helping many beginning bands in small churches across the United States. She wrote hundreds of songs, poems and prayers.

Edith and her husband, Trillis, pastored Living Stone Temple in Glenwood for many years. They devoted their lives to helping others and often traveled for church work in the United States and to Haiti, Philippines, and Canada.  One of her favorite sayings was, “I am Blessed.”  Edith received many healings in her lifetime.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Nettie Cogburn; her sisters, Charlene (Pate) Morrison, Linda Adams and Bonnie Ball; and her brothers, Doyle Cogburn, Toney Cogburn and Dewell Cogburn.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years who cared for her daily and kept her in their home until her passing, Trillis Eugene Montgomery I, of Glenwood; her daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Randy Leniger of Spencer, Oklahoma; her daughter, Renai Swaby of Glenwood; her son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Martha Montgomery of White House, Tennessee; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Mark Mullens, Brandon and Mary Leniger, Derek and Alyssa Mullens, Lance and Anna Leniger, Sarah and Drew Massie, Tiffany Montgomery and Luke Swaby; thirteen great-grandchildren, Tristan, Peyton, Oliver, Sawyer, Ryla, Leya, Beckham, Grayson, Harrison, Blaire, Nolan, Caden and August; her brother and sister-in-law, Jessie and Dollie Cogburn of Glenwood; her sister-in-law, Faircie Lee Cogburn of Daisy; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, devoted aides, nurses and caregivers. Special mention to Cherlyn “Cheri” Wilkerson of Caddo Gap for her loyal service and care.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in the Old Mount Tabor Community Church with Rev. Randy D. Leniger, Rev. William Cowles, Rev. David Thompson and Rev. Lynn Ritchie officiating.

Visitation will be held Friday, 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, in the Old Mount Tabor Community Church.

Interment will be in the Mount Tabor Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home, Glenwood.

Pallbearers will be Robert Adams, Myron Cogburn, Paul Irving, Brandon Leniger, Lance Leniger and Andrew Massie.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Adams, Jessie Cogburn, Tammy Cogburn, Karen Hall, Julianne Irving, Eugene Montgomery, Jimmy Montgomery, Autumn Qualls, Cheri (Sherry) Wilkerson, Mark Marler, the many nurses and staff of Hospice Home Care, and the staff of the Department of Human Services.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.