Lula Belle Echols Obituary
Lula Belle (Lou) Echols, 80, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 12, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on July 09, 1945, in Kennett, Missouri, she lived a life characterized by her devotion to those she loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Georgia Masterson; her son, Danny McDonald; seven siblings, and several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Freddie Earl Echols; her son, Chris Davis (Jayne); her granddaughter, Erin Haney (Matt); and her great-grandchildren, Matthew and Olivia Mehlhorn. She also leaves behind her dearest friend, Tawana Gilbert, and her Salem Baptist Church family.
Lou had a strong work ethic, beginning when she was just a child working to help the family by regularly picking more than 100 pounds of cotton a day in the field. As an adult, she worked long hours to support her family, from factory work to many years in retail, rising to assistant manager and a valued employee. She was a loving mother who did so much to take care of her family, from taking care of the house to cooking for her family and her children's many friends, making their home a favorite hangout place growing up for the youth in the neighborhood. After a long day at work, you could see her playing catch with her kids in the yard for hours, stopping only to make dinner. Her sacrifices helped her children and their friends feel valued, cared for, and loved. Her children would share that anything meaningful they accomplished as adults was directly attributed to the good things their mom taught them as a child and continued to support them as adults.
Guided by faith and a generous spirit, Lou was a beautiful, resilient woman who cherished her books, the magic of Christmas, and the company of children. Always elegant and thoughtful, she spent her life caring deeply for others and giving with an open heart.
Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend; she will be missed by all who knew her.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Elite Hospice and Piney Wilcox for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Lou during her final days. The family also wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to Lou's dear friend, Tawana Gilbert, for her unwavering support and devotion. Lou thought the world of Tawana, and the two shared a truly special bond that brought immense joy to Lou's life. We are profoundly grateful for the kindness and companionship Tawana provided, and we will always cherish the beautiful friendship they shared.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. In accordance with Lou's wishes, no formal memorial service will be held. In the near future, she will be laid to rest next to her son Danny in Kennett.
To honor Lou's commitment to her faith in Jesus Christ, the family encourages donations be made to Salem Baptist Church in Mena, Arkansas.
