Mary and Jerry Edwards married on May 3, 1951. Together, they raised their family in Del City and later in Antlers, OK. After Jerry’s death she moved to Purcell, OK and later returned to Del City, OK.
Mary and her sisters, known as The Gilley Girls, took many trips together. One of Mary’s favorite trips was to Washington, D.C. where she was almost arrested by the Secret Service when she reached through the fence at the White House to pick up a leaf that had fallen near her. She was very competitive; she loved sports. The hardest thing for her to do was to choose sides in the Bedlam games. She always felt bad for the underdog and the poor kickers when they missed a field goal. Memaw loved Fox News, Thunder basketball (primarily Andre Roberson), and her many treasures she collected, but most of all she loved her family. Especially the grandkids! She was so proud of each one and bragged on them every chance she had.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jerry; sisters, Marie Williford, Marcella Hackworth, Rena Hammons, Millie James, and Maudie Henthorn (husband Cecil); brother Dub Gilley (wife Ozella); and son-in-law Don Gross.
She is survived by her children, Steve Edwards, Claudia Gross, and Lora Stanton (husband David); grandchildren who called her “Memaw”: Eric Edwards (wife Corri), Brittany King (husband Mac), Lacy Remy (husband David), Amy McAdams (husband Jared), Taylor Gross (wife Jamie), Tara Stevens (husband Jerry), Zachary Stanton, Matthew Stanton, and Addison Stanton; 12 Great Grandchildren; her sisters, Moyra Baxter (husband Harvey), Martha Brooks (husband Jim), and Lena Hiddleston (husband Pat); her brother-in-laws Jimmy James, and Sam Edwards (wife Gleynis); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her.
Memorial Services will be held this Thursday morning at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
