LAVERNE EDWARDS.

Pittsburg-Laverne Edwards, 95, died at 1:45 P.M. on Friday, December 31, 2010 at the residence of her daughter, north of Pittsburg.

Laverne was born on February 26, 1915 in West Frankfort, the daughter of Lee and Lizzie (Graul) Ramsey.

When she was a young child the family moved to the #6 area east of Johnston City and she lived there at the family farm until her marriage on September 28, 1935 to Cletus Edwards from Pittsburg. Laverne and Cletus moved to different houses in the area until they settled in Pittsburg. They had one daughter Shirley.

Laverne accepted Christ as her Savior when she was 59 years old and faithfully attended the Pittsburg Freewill Baptist Church until her later years. Laverne's main concern was the welfare of her family and she loved each one unconditionally. She was a homemaker. She unselfishly served others all her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Edwards and husband Kenneth who live in rural Marion; two grandsons, Michael Edwards and wife Traci of Marion, and Jaime Edwards and wife Lisa of Benton; four great grandchildren, Ashleigh Hilliard and husband Corey of rural Marion, Dustin Edwards of Marion, Landon Edwards of Marion, and Hannah Edwards of Benton; one great-great granddaughter, Lexis Hilliard of rural Marion; two step great grandchildren, Janee and Tyler Davis of Benton; a sister, Ruth Litton of rural Marion; three brothers, Eugene Ramsey of Pittsburg, Don Ramsey and wife Dorothy of Johnston City, and Charles Ramsey and wife Vanida of Johnston City; and many nieces and nephews.

Laverne was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband in 1984; two brothers, Cecil and Leon Ramsey; and one sister, Louise Harris.

Services will be held at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home of Johnston City on Tuesday January 4, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Kenneth Edwards officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Becker Cemetery east of Johnston City.