Edith Dunn Hume's Obituary
Edith Dunn Welsh Hume born July 23, 1933, to John Welsh and Edith Dunn Welsh in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, passed away peacefully at her home in Fayetteville, AR on November 11, 2024.
Edith lived a life rich in love, adventure, travel and fun. At the age of seven, her family moved to Luton Dunstable, England where Edith’s father owned a fish and chip shop. Edith shared many hilarious stories of the fun (and trouble) that she got into with her 6 siblings and their friends.
Edith married John Bill Haltom, an American serviceman stationed in England. They had two children, Ann and J.B., settling in Cloverdale, IN. They divorced after several years with Edith and kids moving back home to England to live with family. One fateful evening, after great coaxing from her best friend, they went out to a pub where Edith met a handsome “Yank” in the USAF, the love of her life Albert Hume, marrying six weeks later. Their union welcomed two children, Douglas and Faith. During Al’s 26-year military career, the family saw the world and traveled extensively, from California to Peshawar, Pakistan, back to England, and later San Vito Air Force Base in Italy.
At their last post of Homestead, Florida, Al retired in 1974. They decided to move back to California and headed West; they stopped to visit Al’s mother in Ash Flat, AR and explored the area and ultimately decided to make Harrison, AR their new home. Al and Edith bought a newspaper store and turned it into a bookstore, Books Galore, where they became a fixture in the community and formed lasting friendships.
Edith always had a flair for the performing arts, she’d grown up in a family where singing and performing for family & friends were regular happenings. In Harrison, Edith and her three good friends, founded and managed “The Buffalo River Theatre Company”. The whole community became involved with the projects and Edith played many leading roles in comedies, dramas, and musicals. The family were active members of the First Presbyterian Church. Later in life, Al and Edith spent time living in Branson, MO before finally settling in Fayetteville where family was near.
Edith was a loving matriarch known for her strength, vivaciousness, gentleness, kindness, and smiling spirit until the final days of her marvelous life.
Edith is survived by her sons, J.B. and Douglas (spouse David); her daughter, Faith (partner Stacey); grandchildren Ian Canzler (spouse Sopheara) and Vanessa Woods (spouse Seth); great-grandchildren Nellie, Elaina, Solrena, James, and Aubrey. Edith is also survived by her brother John, sisters Agnes and Jessie, and many beloved nephews/nieces in England with sister Annabelle Anderson in Australia. Edith was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Albert, and her eldest daughter, Ann Canzler. Edith will be cremated at the Nelson Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, AR.
Family and friends will gather in private to celebrate her memory and to remember this larger-than-life spirit, a beautiful woman who brought love and light in all she did and to all she loved.
What’s your fondest memory of Edith?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edith?
Share a story where Edith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edith you’ll never forget.
How did Edith make you smile?