Edna Louise (Layne) Knickerbocker, 89, of Foreman, Ark., died June 20, 2010 at Presbyterian Village in Little Rock, Ark. She was born on Oct. 14, 1920 to the late Hallie Patton Anderson and George L. Layne Sr. of Foreman. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Foreman since the age of eight.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, James Guy "Hank" Hankins and his surviving spouse, Marilyn Valentine Hankins; her brother, L. Layne Jr.; her husband of 38 years, Ulys A. Reid; and her step-father, Jim Anderson. She is survived by a son, Ray Reid (Cherylon) of Little Rock, Ark.; a granddaughter, Sara Layne Reid of New York, N.Y.; a grandson, James Hankins of Carlyss, La; a sister, Jimmie Lou Sagely of Ft. Smith, Ark.; two great-grandchildren, Holly Hankins and James Hankins of Carlyss, La.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Louise had a great love for her church, her always beautiful yard and her family. She graduated from Foreman High School in 1938 and attended Draughon Business College in Dallas, Texas. Upon graduation, she returned to Foreman to put her new business skills to work. She was secretary at Foreman High School until the opportunity presented itself when construction began on the cement plant. She went to work at Kaiser in 1958 when Arkansas Cement Corporation created an office in downtown Foreman. She remained with the company throughout its growth and many changes. During this time, Louise was a faithful Foreman civic leader for more than half a century. After retirement, she enjoyed rooting for the Hogs, attending to her flowers and working for her church. She was an avid Razorback fan and joined the Back of the Bus group, making every trip and dressing in her Razorback red. Her devotion to the community of Foreman and roots running deeply in Little River County led to a very successful non profit project. Through donations, fundraising and grant writing, she helped save what had been an old jail built in 1902 and established Rocky Comfort Museum in 1992. The museum housed memorabilia of the town and its past. Although Altzheimers took the last 10 years of her life, she remained feisty until the end.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Presbyterian Village and Odyssey Hospice for the care that they gave to her. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, at Dollarhide Cemetery in Foreman, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Foreman, or the charity of your choice, or Dollharhide Cemetery. Rev. Daryl E. Hines officiating. Services are under the direction of Madden Funeral Home, Ashdown, Ark., assisted by James Shaddis.

Published June 22, 2010