Shirley Sue Edwards, 84, of Crocker, passed away Monday, July 24, 2023, in Springfield.
She was born Aug. 29, 1938, a daughter of Davis and Phoebe Ellen (Bellington) Wilson in Camden County near Richland.
Shirley grew up on a farm near Richland doing chores and delivering the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Springfield News Leader to over 150 customers and attended Richland School.
She was united in marriage to Raymond E. “Gene” Edwards, March 5, 1955, in Tuscumbia. This union was blessed with the gift of five children: Raymond Eugene Jr, Eugenia Sue, Billy Lee, Randy Wayne, and Scarlett DeAnna.
They moved to Odessa for a short time, where she worked for Action Manufacturing and picked up a part time job at a café making donuts and 32 flavored shakes. Shirley was a member of First Baptist Church in Crocker. She worked multiple jobs through her life… many at the same time. Whether it was Tupperware or Avon on top of full-time jobs from Brown Shoe to Copeland, she could always be found at Family Garage which she owned with her husband, Gene. Shirley valued family and enjoyed having the whole family together for the holidays whether it was Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas which was celebrated on Christmas Eve.
She was preceded in death by parents, Davis and Phoebe Wilson; husband, Gene Edwards July 9, 2016; son, Billy Lee Edwards; grandchildern, Joshua Edwards and Stephanie Plotner; and siblings Mary Ellen Kiser, Charles Davis Wilson, Jr., and Dona Beth Sippio.
She is survived by sons, Raymond Edwards, Jr. and wife Martina of Richland, and Randy Edwards and wife Denise of Belle; daughters, Eugenia Plotner of Lebanon and Scarlett Goodwin and husband Robert of Chillicothe; sister, Peggy Beavens of Independence; grandchildren, Daniel Edwards, Heather Watson, Chris Plotner, Tiffany Edwards, Dustin Goodwin, Jeremy Edwards, William Goodwin, Shauna Daugherty and Derek Edwards; great-grandchildren, Gavin Rivera, Emily Nelson, Damen Plotner, Seth Rivera, Terri Nelson, Samantha Goodwin, Abby Goodwin, Kenneth Goodwin and James Daugherty; and bonus great-grandson Shane Wiles; and a load of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family received friends at noon Monday, July 31, at the First Baptist Church in Crocker with funeral services following 1 p.m. with Pastor Trey Dolloff officiating. Burial was in Lewis Cemetery, Richland.
Pallbearers were Daniel Edwards, Dustin Goodwin, Jeremy Edwards, William Goodwin, Derek Edwards, Hunter Watson, Nick Daugherty, and Shane Wiles. Honorary pallbearers were Raymond Edwards, Jr., Randy Edwards, Ronnie Edwards, Chris Plotner, Gavin Rivera, Seth Rivera, Damen Plotner, Charles Fox, Jr., and Cristin Fox.
Memorials may be given to Lewis Cemetery or First Baptist Church of Crocker in care of the Fox Funeral Home, PO Box 37, Cole Camp, Mo. 65325.
