Mary Lois Watkins Edwards

Mary Lois Watkins Edwards, age 79, died Thursday, July 4, 2019, at Atrium Health-Mercy in Charlotte, NC. A funeral service will be held at 4:00PM on Monday, July 8th, at Kornegay Funeral Homes Camden Chapel with Rev. Bryan Plyler officiating. Interment will follow in the Barnes Family Cemetery in Bethune. The family will greet friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service starting at 3:00PM. As the widow of a US Army-Korean veteran, the family requests all veterans serve as Honorary Pallbearers. In addition, because of the extremely hot temperatures, the family requests comfortable attire and that suits not be worn. Mary Lois was born on October 4, 1939, in Bethune, SC, a daughter of the late James Belton Watkins and Mildred Geneva Fields Watkins. She was married to the late Erwin Ward Edwards who died in 2006. Mary resided in Camden until her marriage, whereupon she moved to Wadesboro, North Carolina. She worked as a lab technician for several local physicians. Survivors include one son, Brian Ward Edwards of the home; two sisters, Carolyn Watkins Hopkins, and Trudy Yvonne Watkins both of Camden; and one brother: Carl Lee Watkins of Cassatt. Mary is also survived by nephews, LaBruce Hopkins and James Watkins; nieces, Brenda Hopkins (Bobby) Baker, Debbie Hopkins (Steve) Messer, Melinda Hopkins (Mancel) Boggs, and Judy Watkins (Bobby) Kneer; and a great nephew and nieces, Robert (Lauren) Baker, Sarah Beth Messer, Hannah Maree Boggs, Ashli Bryn Messer, and Amber "Nikki" Boggs. In addition to her husband and parents, Mary was preceded in death by a brother, David Brian Watkins. Memorials may be made to the Barnes Family Cemetery Fund, c/o LaBruce Hopkins, 1503 East Lee St, Camden, SC. Pallbearers for the service will include Carl Watkins, LaBruce Hopkins, Walker Canada, Sarah Beth Messer and Jimmy Rabon. Leavitt Funeral Home is handling the local arrangements. Kornegay Funeral Home is handling the services in Camden, SC.