Mary Jo Lewis Edwards

Mary Jo Lewis Edwards Age 81, would often say, “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured”. And that is the way she lived her life until she passed peacefully in her home in Athens, AL, Monday morning July 26, 2021 surrounded by family. Mary Jo was an adventurer, sharing life with her loving companion of 61 years, John Charles Edwards, as a young mother, she was as comfortable going to the rifle range and knocking out bullseyes with their 1903 A3 30-6, as providing the perfect blend of love, council, and friendship for her family. She could just as easily be found under one of their many cars changing the oil or doing a complete brake job on their 1950 Desoto or catching fish near the Mantachie Meadows as taking care of 3 girls with one on the way while her husband was called to serve in the Vietnam war. Later God blessed Mary Jo with two boys completing her family with six children which led to lifetime of new adventures. God and family first, sprinkled with a whole lot of laughter and lifelong friends was her recipe for a life well lived. Mary Jo grew up in Memphis Tennessee and was the high school archery champion, she later would be on a blind date on the west coast with the man of her dreams while working for Sears Roebuck and Co in the 60’s, “we were taking the world by storm on $60 a month”. Her adventures found her living near the beach on the Pacific coast, camping with her family of 6 by a river in a tent, and in a camper in the beautiful forests in the Pacific Northwest. As a Navy wife, Mary Jo lived in many places across the US meeting so many wonderful people and leaving a lasting impression of humility, kindness and enduring love. Mary's adventure with John often found them with little temporal treasures, but her worth was always far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10). Her faith in God and his eternal plan for his children provided her a foundation that sustained her as she led her family through one adventure after another. Her faith in, dedication and service to God gave her the strength to endure all things and celebrate the many blessings she felt from her family and friends. Mary Jo is survived by her husband John, 5 children and their spouses; Dawn (Steven) Parker, Rebecca (Noel) DeFrank, Amanda (Peter) Rasmussen, Wescott (Murrena) Edwards, Preston (Cheri) Edwards. Preceded in death by her Daughter Malinda Edwards and Brother Jeffery Lewis, along with her parents Albert Lewis and Clara Burelle Cannaday. Mary Jo was a treasured matriarch to many generations with 26 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren who were her pride and joy. Services will be provided graveside at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday 9 August 2021 at 11:00 AM ET. The family is appreciative of kindness and outpouring of love, and asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Mary Jo’s foundations that were dearest to her. A fund has been set up on Mary Jo Lewis Edwards behalf by following the link below: Humanitarian aid fund: https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/church/humanitarian-services.html?cid=MemoriaHumanitarian& Or to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?cID=14262&pID=24671&frequency_selected=2&sc_cid=kwp19244&s_kwcid=AL!4519!3!!e!!s!!__EFKW__&sc_dcm=58700006946881469&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&ds_rl=1285465&ds_rl=1291300&msclkid=0674ee8e7b03119ebdc98f8d223d0138&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=M%20-%20Brand%20BMM%20EL&utm_term=%2Bst%20%2Bjude%20%2Bkids&utm_content=PM_PR_Dig_Srch_PM_AO_US_Nat_MS_M-Ads_LF_-_-_-_SERP-BMM_Srch-B_-_-_-_Core_-_EL_-_-_Srch&gclid=0674ee8e7b03119ebdc98f8d223d0138&gclsrc=3p.ds

Mary Jo Lewis Edwards

August 4, 1940 - July 26, 2021