Ruby Mae Martin Edwards, 96, of Jonesville, SC passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 8, 2026.

She was born on November 5, 1929, in Jonesville, the daughter of the late James Wilford Martin and Katie Buice Martin Petty. She was a graduate of Pacolet High School and retired from the Research Center at Milliken after more than 30 years of faithful service.

Ruby married the love of her life, the late Truman S. Edwards, and they shared nearly 49 years of marriage. She was above all else, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an active participant in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, always attending their events, vacationing with them, cooking meals for them, and sharing holidays together. She was an avid reader, sometimes reading as many as 10 books a week, and she loved sharing her love of reading with her grands.

Ruby had a deep faith in Jesus. She was a lifelong member of Gilead Baptist Church and was proud to be the oldest member of the congregation. Her faith gave her a heart for serving others. She was a long-time volunteer with Mobile Meals of Spartanburg and the Spartanburg County Voters Commission.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ruby was preceded in death by her siblings, Thelma Harvey, Gayle Purkey, Boyce Martin, Henry Martin, C.L. Martin, James Martin, and Charles Martin, and her son-in-law, Kevin Burgess.

Ruby is survived by her daughter, Wanda Edwards Burgess, of Jonesville, and her son, Reginald Edwards (Lisa) of Boiling Springs; her grandchildren, Heather Burgess Jackson (Jeff), Joshua K. Burgess (Kimberly), Joseph Edwards and Hannah Edwards; and her great grandchildren, Ian, Will & Maggie Burgess, Silas, Eli & Ivy Rose Jackson, and Briana & Brayden Roland.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1pm at Gilead Baptist Church, 748 Gaffney Highway, Jonesville, SC. A service celebrating Ruby’s life, led by Dr. Eddie Saxon, will follow at 2pm. Interment will be private. Flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

We are grateful to all those at Mountainview who helped with her care in the last few months, especially her precious roommate, Mrs. Frances. We rejoice that her faith is now sight and she is with Jesus, but we will forever miss her loving presence in our lives.