Ruth Thelma Edwards

Obituary For Ruth Thelma Edwards

Mrs. Ruth Thelma Griffin Edwards was born on March 17, 1936, in Carthage, Mississippi, (Dossville, Community), to the late John D. Griffin and Mary Blanche Riley Griffin. At an early age, she united with the Delydia Hill M.B. Church in Dossville, and upon moving to Kosciusko, she united with the Delydia Hill M.B. Church in Dossville, and upon moving to Kosciusko, she united with Christian Liberty M.B. Church, where she was a member for over 60 years, serving over 50 years as an Usher. She also served as Club #3 Secretary. She served for 28 years as the church's Custodian.

She attended school in Leake County. She worked as a Caterer for 30 years. She also worked at Nowell Funeral Home, Southern Security Life Insurance, and Lewis and Kim Crowe. She was also a member of Heroines of Jericho.

She was married to the late Willie Pat Gray. Later, she married Manuel Veasley, who preceded her in death, as did a daughter, Robin Veasley. She was also married to Mr. Earnest Edwards, Sr., and two children were born to them, who preceded her in death: James Earnest Edwards and Ernestine Edwards. She gained four sons, Lucius “LJ” Edwards, Ernest Edwards, Jr., Jimmy (Emma) Edwards, and Will Edwards, who preceded her in death and two daughters.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, John Griffin and Mary Blanche Griffin; Grandparents, Jim and Della Grimes Griffin, Ben and Stella Riley; an aunt who helped raise her, Alice Brown; brothers, Robert (Lucille) Riley, Parvee Griffin, LA Griffin, Sisters, Johnnie Mae Harris and Odessa Canada. Grandchildren, Patrick Gray, DeShun Gray, Will Edwards, Jr., Vincent Edwards, Jr., LaShonda Edwards and Martisha Truss.

She leaves to cherish her memories two sons, Pat (Dolores) Gray, Milwaukee, WI, and Mark (June) Edwards, Jackson, MS. Three daughters, Ira Jean (Frederick) Aikens, and Linda Edwards, Milwaukee, WI, and Johnnie Ruth Edwards-Truss of Kosciusko, MS. Two brothers: Jimmy Lee Griffin, of Milwaukee, WI, and Matthew (Anita) Scott, of Gluckstadt, MS. Two sisters: Della Mae Ashford, Jackson, MS and Bobbie Nell Carter, Gretna, LA.

She also leaves 21 grandchildren, of which 8 she helped raise, Christophol, Felicia, Geneva, Marwin, Savannah, Kyne'yto, Maechel and Jamiracle. A host of great-grandchild, of whom one, Christina, she helped raise. She also leaves two great-grandchildren. Special nephew, Ronnie (Vadeia) Ashford of Cleveland, Ohio and a special niece-Pennie (Willie) Williams of Jackson, MS, 4 daughters-in-law: Fannie Edwards, Lena Carroll Edwards, Milwaukee, WI, Dorothy Edwards, Gulfport, MS, Fachona Brown, Jackson, MS. Special Cousins, Ora Joiner, J.C. (Elnora) Griffin, C.L. (Corina) Griffin, Milwaukee, WI, Thelma (Myron) Truss, Carthage, MS, Dorothy Thompson, Jo Ann (Johnny) Fair, Paul (Lula) Greer, Kosciusko, MS. Special friends, Earl Dean Dodd, Sandra Robinson, Verna Lou Adams, and Everlena Johnson all of Kosciusko, MS. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends as well as her Christian Liberty Church Family.

PLACE OF SERVICE: Christian Liberty M.B. Church, Kosciusko, MS

DATE OF SERVICE: Monday 04/13/2026 at 12:00 p.m.

INTERMENT: Parkway Cemetery, Kosciusko, MS

VIEWING: Saturday 04/11/2026 at 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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