Vannie Morgan Edwards

Vannie Morgan Edwards, 88, of Norman, AR passed away January 28, 2025, at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, AR.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Glenwood First Church of the Nazarene, 776 US-70 East in Glenwood, AR on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Visitation will begin at noon with the service following at 1:00 P.M.  

Vannie was born on June 16, 1936, in Baton Rouge, LA. He attended Central High School and Southwest Mississippi Junior College (SMJC), where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He then attended Southeastern Louisiana University(SLU) on a baseball scholarship, receiving a bachelor’s degree in education. He received a master’s degree in education from Louisiana State University.

Vannie then began his vast career as a teacher and coach. He developed a love for the sport of women’s gymnastics. He taught himself the skills of coaching and pursued his career in the sport. He was a pioneer, advancing U.S. women’s gymnastics to new heights. 

He coached the women’s teams at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, SLU and SMJC. He also coached non-collegiate teams, winning multiple national and international championships at both levels. He would later be inducted into several halls of fame including SMJC and Centenary College.

He was a four-time U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Olympic coach, manager and staff member from 1964 to 1976. He was the owner of Olympia Training Center in Belcher, LA and co-owner of Camp Olympia.

Upon retirement, Vannie reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Donna (Bobbie) Chachere. They married on April 12, 1981, and would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary this year.

Vannie and Bobbie moved to Norman, AR where they fell in love with the area and became a large part of the community.

Vannie had a love for quarter horses, hiking, running, biking, kayaking, climbing and rappelling. He was a member of the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He loved to collect one-liners and loved story-telling and was a prayer warrior. 

Of all his accomplishments, his greatest was when he accepted God. He and Bobbie married with the understanding that Christ would always be the third party in their marriage and their family second only to God. They shared a beautiful, loving,blended family and his faith in God and his love for his family carried him through each day. He and Bobbie did not start or end a day without thanking their Lord and Savior for their blessed life. He was grateful and thankful for all his friends, neighbors, coaches, gymnasts and family.

He touched more people’s lives than could be mentioned and he will be forever remembered. 

Vannie is survived by his wife, Donna (Bobbie) Chachere; his children, David Russell Edwards (Kim), Joe Wise Pitts III, James Cullen Pitts, Pam Edwards Moore (Brian), Donna Roma Sherman, Ashley Elliott Pitts; his grandchildren, Erik Edwards(Emma), Ryan Edwards, Jacoby Sherman (Kammie), Levi Sherman and Fiona Estes; and his great-grandchildren, Millie and Arabella Sherman. He is also survived by a sister, Patsy DeLee, his sister-in-law Sash Chachere and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, H.H. Edwards and Vera M. Edwards; his father-in-law, Marvin Chachere and his mother-in-law, Diana Chachere, Marvin ChachereJr; and one brother-in-law, Dennis DeLee.

His family is grateful for the care he received from his doctor, John Webb, and the staff at hospitals and rehabs, all of whom exhibited loving care.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Nazarene Church Food Bank in Glenwood - 776 Highway 70 East Glenwood, AR 71943 or to
the U.S. Special Olympics - 2600 Virginia Ave NW, 11th floor Washington D.C., 20037