Mary Smith Edwards, age 94, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Mrs. Edwards was born December 25, 1928, in Rockledge, Georgia to the late George Washington Smith and the late Vida Davis Smith. She was a retired teacher after working with the Laurens County Board of Education for many years. She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Julius Colon Edwards; son, Jack Edwards; daughter, Shirley Ann Mooney; two sisters, Hazel Forrest, and Carolyn Handley; and brother, Troy Smith.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her son, Mike Edwards of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Wanda Fountain, Wayne Mooney, Wendy Royal, Andrew Edwards, and Rebecca Edwards; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Mazie McLendon of Dublin; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Townsend Brothers Funeral Home with interment to follow at Northview Cemetery. Rev. Keith Collins and Rev. Grady Mimbs will officiate. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Bill Edwards, Curtis Edwards, Shane Handley, Jerry Griffin, David Edwards, and Nathan Evans.