Edward Franklin Spell

Edward Franklin Spell, known to most as “Frank” was born August 27, 1939, to Walter Clark Spell & Mozelle Cashwell Spell in Roseboro, NC.

Preceded in death by parents, and by three siblings; Thomas Owen Spell, Joseph Warren Spell and Walter Francis Spell. Also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Spell.

Survived by four siblings, Freddie Clark Spell of Terrell Tx, Dallas Dixon Spell of Griffin GA, Lena Gray Blalock of Harrisonville MO, Nancy Carol Spell of Winston Salem NC. Survived by one daughter, Stephanie Ward (husband Chris); four grandchildren & six great-grandchildren, Kami McDonald (husband Tyler) & kids Jackson, Paisley, & Landry, Brennan Ward (wife Anna-Catherine) & kids Edley & Emmy, Grayson Ward (wife Rachelle), Mills Ward (wife Sarah) & kids Wesley.

Frank was an over-the-road truck driver for most of his working life and retired from Arkansas Best Freight in the mid 1990’s.

In younger years, he was a competitive trap shooter, hunter and fisherman. He always read the daily newspaper and was a whiz at working the NY Times Crossword Puzzle (in ink, no less!) He continued that hobby until arthritis prevented him from filling out the forms or typing in the words on his iPad. He was a lifelong avid reader of all genres but especially enjoyed the works of Larry McMurtry. His many years of driving across the country gave him a very accurate permanent map in his mind and he could recount with ease which highway to take, how many miles it was and how long it would take you to get there. He never used a GPS in his life. His soup making and rib smoking skills were legendary and could never be duplicated (although his family has tried).

In 2014 when his son-in-law bought Elite Core Audio, Frank was there to help unload containers and set up the warehouse racks. He worked many hours pulling orders (as a volunteer) and often provided lunch for the employees. Even after he was no longer able to help out, he’d stop by the warehouse and visit with the employees and loved to attend any special occasions or meals involving staff.

In later years, his weekly routine included 3 trips a week to Cardiac Rehab at CRMC, solo outings to Sam’s Club to get the exercise of walking while pushing his cart, planning and managing the Mullins Hunting Club (his deer camp in Union, AR), and handing out Drumstick ice cream cones to his great-grandkids and orange slices to anyone he met. He also loved to watch NFL games, any sport the Hogs played, and PGA Golf. After his wife passed in 2021, Frank built a new home in Greenbrier and lived there independently well until his 86th year. A stroke on May 9,2026 changed all of that. He spent the summer in rehab at Heritage Living Center in Conway, AR. In August, he was transferred to Golden Oaks Care Home in Springhill and was there when the Lord called him home on Oct 16, 2026.

Visitation and celebration of life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday November 7, 2026, at Herschel Hall in Greenbrier, Arkansas.