Edna Mable Walkinshaw

Edna Mable Blackwell was born August 22, 1933, in Colton, California. She was the third child of Lawrence and Thelma Blackwell. Six years later, World War II broke out and her father left home and joined the Navy. Edna and her seven siblings, Bruce, Charlie, Denzel, Arthur, Valley, Alice, and Mary struggled during those years as they lived in a big tent on the property of their Grandparents.

Edna recalled attending the Colton Nazarene church as a teenager where her Sunday School teacher took an interest in her. It would be that influence that would one day bring Edna back to those early roots.

As time went on Edna was blessed with two children. John Paul in 1954 and Brenda Lee in 1956.

In 1961, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where Charlie Clifford was born in 1963.

It was Christmas in Albuquerque, Edna’s sister Alice, remembered her childhood days when the Nazarene church would give out a treat bag. After much persuasion, she talked Edna into going that Christmas Sunday. Edna walked in, and by her own testimony, said “this is for me.” What they didn’t know, was that Nazarene church had changed to the Bible Missionary Church, pastored by Mike Kelly. Soon after, Edna knelt at the altar and gave her heart to the Lord. From that time on, she never looked back.

Life went on and in 1969, the family moved back to California. Edna remained faithful to God and in 1990, she married Andrew Walkinshaw which took her to Superior, Arizona.

Over the course of 35 years in Superior, she became known as “the apron lady” as she would sit at the local market and Circle K selling her homemade aprons and crocheted dish rags. The town grew to love her, and her influence filled that little town. One of her friends posted to a local Facebook page telling the town of Edna’s passing. Over 500 people responded to that post with emoji’s, messages, and videos of their memories of a lady who influenced them. These posts were summed up into this final message.

“Friends and family mourn the loss of Edna, a kind and talented woman who spent her life serving others and sharing her love for Jesus. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on through cherished memories, handmade aprons, and the countless lives she touched.”

Edna remained in Superior until January 2025 when she had a fall and needed to move to Meridian, Idaho, to live with her daughter, Brenda. She spent the last 4 months of her life with family surrounding her. Edna Mable went to be with Jesus, Saturday, May 31st, 2025, with Brenda and Charlie by her side.

She is survived by her brother Arthur of Kingman, Arizona, her children, John Paul (Ann), Brenda (Keith) and Charlie (Sarah); her grandchildren, Abigail, J.P., Parker, Benjamin, Melissa, Violet, Chip, Samuel, and Amanda; many great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Sister Edna Walkinshaw fought the good fight and finished the race. Heaven saw another Saint come Home…wearing her apron.