Doris Elizabeth Oaks

Doris Elizabeth Edwards Oakes, age 98, died Friday, July 18, 2025, in Russellville. She was born June 14, 1927, near Selma, Alabama. She was the daughter of James Stennis Edwards and Edna Willetta Sample.

She described herself as a farm girl, having grown up or lived on a farm for most of her life. She was a homemaker, a bookkeeper, active in church activities and a frequent baker (often sharing with friends and family). She was a skilled gardener, producing African violets, hydrangeas, lilies, gladiolas, iris and azaleas, and always having a showcase lawn and garden. Cooking, jigsaw puzzles, fishing, and reading were other pastimes. She was an accomplished seamstress and needlework artisan, producing collections of quilts and afghans for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She married Larkin “Warner” Oakes on November 11, 1944, in Marion, Alabama. She lived in Alabama for the next 60 years, moving to Mint Hill, North Carolina in 2004, and then to Russellville, Arkansas in 2020.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; one great-grandchild, Lyndon Flax; two sisters, Willetta Melton and Eileen Haisten; and five brothers, Nathan Edwards, Melvin Edwards, Norman Edwards, Marion “Pete” Edwards, and Robert “Bob” Edwards.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and John Wink of Russellville, and Gail and Dale Fuller of Mint Hill, North Carolina; five grandchildren and their spouses, Kerri (Trey) Staviski of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Kevin (Shannon) Fuller of Newton, North Carolina, Brett (Tina) Wink of Houston, Texas, Evan (Tressa) Wink of New Caney, Texas; and Lynn (Corey) Flax of Rogers; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler Wink of Houston, Texas, Garrett Fuller of Houston, Texas, Addison Fuller of Newton, North Carolina, Meredith Staviski of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Kaitlyn Wink of New Caney, Texas, Haylee Wink of New Caney, Texas, Samuel Flax of Rogers, and Margaret Flax of Rogers; one brother, Clyde Edwards of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee; one sister-in-law, Ann Edwards of Selma, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 5:00-6:00 p.m., at Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 25, 2025, at New Live Oak Cemetery, with Mr. Donald Harris officiating under the direction of Lawrence Brown Funeral Services in Selma, Alabama.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, to your local food bank or homeless shelter or other favorite charity