Frances O. Edwards

Frances O. Edwards, 93, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Monday January 31, 2022 at The Palmettos Assisted Living and Memory Care of Garden City, South Carolina. She was born on May 30, 1928 in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina to the late D. H. Orr & Emma Lyday Orr.

Along with her parents, Frances is reunited in death with her beloved husband, Johnathan F. "Frank" Edwards, Sr.; brothers, Hershel, Howard & Delos S. "D.S" Orr; nephew, Roger Orr; as well as D.H's second wife, Burlie Phillips Orr.

Frances felt called to, "Church work," as a teenager and became the first in her family to receive her college degree. She graduated from Mars Hill College in North Carolina, Carson-Newman College in Tennessee and received her Masters of Religious Education from Women's Missionary Union Training School in Louisville, Kentucky, now known as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Frances served in associational missions in Western North Carolina until moving to Union, South Carolina to work at Mon-Aetna Baptist Church in 1957.

She married the love of her life, Mr. Johnathan F. "Frank" Edwards, Sr. in 1962. Frances retired as a teacher and center director from Union Head Start Center in 1994 after 24 years of dedicated service. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Union, South Carolina and remained a supporter of missions her whole life. She faithfully prayed for members of her family, community and missions across the world. Above all else, Frances loved her family with her whole heart. Frances will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of getting to know her through the years.

Left to cherish Frances' memory are her adoring children, Dr. Lillie "Ping" Edwards Bates and her husband, Raymond of Lexington, SC & Rev. Johnathan F. Edwards, Jr. and his wife, Dana of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Betsy Kaye Martin and her husband, Noah, Peter Bates, Daniel Bates, & Brandon Reynolds and wife, Jennifer; great-granddaughters, Violet Martin & Grace Reynolds; as well as nieces, Darlene Orr Smithey & Judy Orr; her special friends, Sandra and Sharon; great-nieces & nephews; a large, loving extended family and many supportive friends and neighbors.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Palmettos Assisted Living and Memory Care of Garden City, SC; and the staff of Agape Hospice for their help in caring for Frances during the last months of her life. Also Dr. David Keith, colleagues and staff of Union Medical Group, who provided care for decades.

A Celebration of Frances' life will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, February 26, 2022, at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Chapel conducted by Dr. Jim McClure. Visitation will be held Saturday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 noon at the chapel prior to the services.

At the request of the family, please consider memorial contributions in lieu of flowers. Donations in Frances' name may be made to Camp Hands of Hope, c/o & sponsored by, the Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation, PO Box 151, Drayton, SC 29333 or at, https://www.hpcfoundation.org/ or the First Baptist Church, 405 East Main St. Union, SC 29379.