By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

Edna Smith will finally get to celebrate her birthday today — a year late.

Smith spent her 34th birthday in a Springfield burn unit after the Anderson Guest House fire on Nov. 27, 2006. She will celebrate her recovery with cake, ice cream and family and friends who helped pull her through.

Smith was a resident at the Guest House because of severe mental retardation and depression. She now lives in the Ozark Oaks care home in Joplin.

Her sister, Carolyn Lytle, and friend, Angela Collier, both of Neosho, said the last year has been full of ups and downs as they continue to deal with the fire that killed 11 and injured Smith and others.

Smith spent six months in the hospital after the fire — nearly four of those unconscious — recovering from severe burns to her face, arms, breasts, abdomen, legs and lungs.

“At first we were both very afraid that she would die,” Collier said.

“I was praying constantly,” Lytle added. “I kept saying, ‘Please God, she’s the only sister I have, I need my sister.’”

Lytle also was a former Anderson Guest House resident, but she moved out shortly before the fire. Collier also is a former staff member there who resigned before the fire.

Today, Edna still wears bandages over her hands to protect her skin and has scarring on her legs. But Lytle and Collier call Edna’s recovery remarkable.

The first time Lytle saw Edna conscious after the fire, she couldn’t stop crying. Lytle said she was just overwhelmed and still feels fortunate that her sister is alive and well.

“I thank God that she made it through,” Lytle said. “I was scared, I didn’t want to lose my sister.”

Reminder

Although Edna may not remember much about the fire, Collier said just driving by the empty lot in Anderson where the building stood makes her sick.