Edna, the daughter of the late Andy Bud Owens and Eva Bunch, attended Union College, Eastern Kentucky University and graduated from Cumberland College. She married Paul Croley in 1947. Their son, Jerry was born in 1949. Paul's experience included working for Holley Funeral Home in Clinton Tennessee, Kincaid Funeral Home in Corbin, Kentucky, and Ellison Funeral Home. He was a World War II Army Veteran and served as the Whitley County Tax Commissioner for 8 years. Edna taught school for 30 years. Together they founded Croley Funeral Home.
In 1970, Edna married Cecil Early, a Kentucky State employee and World War II Navy Veteran. Cecil was a licensed EMT and was employed at the Funeral Home for 30 years.
Edna passed away January 14, 2018 at the age of 90. The legacy that she left behind will be remembered and carried on for many generations to come.
