On September 7, 1948 in Greenville, AL, the Lord Blessed the late Flora and Emmett Cheatham with a second child, a daughter, they named Edna. As with the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord knew the plans He had for Edna – the Lord so planned that on January 9, 2021, Edna would enter into Eternal rest.  Jesus said, " In my Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you". John 14:2 (KJV)

At the age of ten, Edna accepted Christ as her Savior and joined the First Baptist Church in Greenville, AL under the pastoral leadership of Rev. A. G. English.  She had good manners, was quiet, nice, obedient, and a sweet, spirited girl growing up.  After graduating from Greenville Training School, Class of 1966, she attended every Class Reunion and every School Reunion loving her Alma Mater.  She graduated from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, majored in Elementary Education, minored in Home Economics and earned her Master's degree. Edna , with her spirit of service , joined Sigma Beta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, located on the Hills of Normal, AL.  She was the chosen "Sweetheart" of Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Edna united with the First Missionary Baptist Church in 1970 where she continued to grow in Biblical studies and Worship for 50 years.  She served passionately in various Ministries of the Church including Sunday School, Bible Classes, Vacation Bible School, the Missionary Society, Senior/Keenage Ministry, the Senior Usher Board, and the Cancer Support Ministry.

Also, in 1970, 20 December, she was united in Holy Matrimony to her sweetheart, William D. Fails and they shared 50 wonderful years together.  They were blessed with three children. Most important to Edna was her family.

Edna had an infectious smile that she wore unconsciously as she began her journey to help wherever she felt a need.  She had a sincere approach to getting young children to listen--perhaps it was her soft voice.  Mrs. Fails began her teaching career with the Huntsville City Schools in August 1978 teaching kindergarten and first grade at Davis Hills and James I. Dawson (West Mastin Lake) schools.  She received many awards for Outstanding Services rendered to students and retired in 2009.  Continuing her passion for community service, Edna was a member of the Greater Huntsville Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Incorporated.

Edna did not forget her bond with the Blue and White Family , so she joined Delta Omega Zeta, the Huntsville chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. The members of sisterhood recognized her leadership skills and elected her to serve as president of the chapter for two terms.  She also served as the treasurer for more than five terms. She was selected as the Zeta of the Year. She served as the undergrad advisor to Sigma Beta, served on committees, attended National, South Central Regional, and State Leadership Conferences.  She was a Life Member, a Zeta Dove (50+ years of membership) and was inducted into the Alabama Zeta Hall of Fame for Outstanding Community Service. Edna was currently serving as corresponding secretary.

After the death of her beloved daughter, Kimberly Fails Jones in 2010, Edna developed another passion for community service – helping breast cancer survivors.  Edna and her husband continued the dream of their daughter to help breast cancer patients and survivors by helping those who are in financial need through the Kimberly Fails Jones Memorial Foundation, Incorporated. Edna provided love, courage, and hope to breast cancer patients and survivors and was instrumental in starting the Cancer Support Ministry at First Missionary Baptist Church.

Edna was preceded in death by: her daughter, Kimberly Fails Jones of Huntsville; grandparents, Dock and Daisy McKee; her parents, Emmett and Flora McKee Cheatham of Greenville, AL; her uncle, William McKee of Fayetteville, NC; sister-in-law, Linda McCoy of Montgomery, AL; and aunt Edna and uncle Lonnie Roberts of Neptune, NJ.

She leaves precious memories to: her devoted husband, William D. Fails; loving sons Heath Rice, Katy, TX and William II, Huntsville, AL; granddaughter, Da'Miyah Reed, Huntsville, AL; grandson, Isaiah Rice, Katy, TX; a dear sister, Shirley (David) Todd, Columbus, OH; mother in-law, Gertrude Fails Payne, Greenville, AL; sisters-in-law, Henra Faye (Robert) Booker, St. Louis, MO; Elizabeth Grafton, Compton, CA; Katherine Fails Whittle and Geneva Fails, Greenville, AL; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Fails, Anniston, AL and David Fails, Greenville, AL; goddaughters, Beverly A. Jolly, Priscilla Foster (Avril), Joy Benson, all of Huntsville, AL; a host of cousins, friends, and associates.

The writer of Revelation 14:13 gives us hope. "And I heard a voice from heaven saying Blessed are those who die in the LORD from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all toils and trials: for their good deeds follow them."

Graveside service for Mrs. Edna Fails will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Valhalla Memory Gardens with The Reverend Dr. Don Darius Butler officiating.

Visitation: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Kimberly Fails Jones Foundation -  P.O. Box 3644 - Huntsville, AL 35810

For more about the KFJ Foundation, please see: http://www.kfjfoundation.org/

To view the service for Mrs. Edna Fails after 1/14/21, please use this link: https://vimeo.com/500246429