1914
Nellie
2011
Nellie Melma Garner Edwards
February 16, 1914 — April 8, 2011
Nellie Melma Garner Edwards, 97, of Newport, died Friday morning, April 8, 2011.
The family will receive guests at her viewing on Monday, April 11, from 5 pm to 7pm at Munden Funeral Home, 2112 Arendell Street, Morehead City. A memorial celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, April 12, at 11:00am St. James United Methodist Church, 1011 Orange Street, Newport.
Nell was born to Irvin Shepherd and Pearlie Frances McCain Garner on February 16, 1914 in Newport. She was the fourth of six children born to this family and the last survivor. She graduated from the Newport Consolidated School in 1930 and married Lewis Lee Edwards, son of Hannibal Cola and Arline Vick Edwards, in 1937. Lewis had just begun his career in the U.S. Navy and she joined him in traveling to various assignments around the world. When Lewis retired they returned to Newport where they both strived to contribute to the community and county. Lewis died in 1986.
In Newport Nell was co-chair and financial officer of the fund raising committee for building a library in the town. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Newport Library beginning in 1986; she served as chairman of the Board from 1995 until 2007. Nell was among the founding members of the Bud n Shrub Garden Club which federated with the National Council of Garden Clubs in 1962. She served as president for two administrations. Nell qualified as Master Judge from the National Council and was invited to judge flower shows throughout the eastern United States including the National Bicentennial Flower Show in 1976. Nell also accepted the responsibility of Precinct chairman for the Carteret County Democratic Party in Newport. Nell was a member of the St. James United Methodist Church of Newport.
When all is said and done, Nell’s greatest contribution was raising her two sons, Marion Lee Edwards of Morehead City and Gerald Ray Edwards of Chapel Hill. Lee’s family includes his wife, Patricia Hogan Edwards, and four married children: Heidi Helene and her husband William G. Benjaminsen of Marlborough, MA; Robin Marjaleena and her husband Chad D. Dansie of Herriman, UT; Clinton Lee Edwards and his wife Corinne P. Cahoon of Columbia, MD; and Spencer Lewis Edwards and his wife Christina H. Gurney of Bangkok, Thailand. Jerry’s family includes two married children: Melissa and her husband Steven Nowak of Atlanta, GA and Christopher Aaron and his wife Laura Lovette of Durham, NC. Nell is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Carter, Matthew, and Abigail Benjaminsen; Rebecca and Benjamin Dansie; Sheely, Xavier, and Preston Edwards; Rhys Edwards; and Hudson Nowak.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newport Public Library, 210 Howard Blvd, Newport, NC 28570.
The family will receive guests at her viewing on Monday, April 11, from 5 pm to 7pm at Munden Funeral Home, 2112 Arendell Street, Morehead City. A memorial celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, April 12, at 11:00am St. James United Methodist Church, 1011 Orange Street, Newport.
Nell was born to Irvin Shepherd and Pearlie Frances McCain Garner on February 16, 1914 in Newport. She was the fourth of six children born to this family and the last survivor. She graduated from the Newport Consolidated School in 1930 and married Lewis Lee Edwards, son of Hannibal Cola and Arline Vick Edwards, in 1937. Lewis had just begun his career in the U.S. Navy and she joined him in traveling to various assignments around the world. When Lewis retired they returned to Newport where they both strived to contribute to the community and county. Lewis died in 1986.
In Newport Nell was co-chair and financial officer of the fund raising committee for building a library in the town. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Newport Library beginning in 1986; she served as chairman of the Board from 1995 until 2007. Nell was among the founding members of the Bud n Shrub Garden Club which federated with the National Council of Garden Clubs in 1962. She served as president for two administrations. Nell qualified as Master Judge from the National Council and was invited to judge flower shows throughout the eastern United States including the National Bicentennial Flower Show in 1976. Nell also accepted the responsibility of Precinct chairman for the Carteret County Democratic Party in Newport. Nell was a member of the St. James United Methodist Church of Newport.
When all is said and done, Nell’s greatest contribution was raising her two sons, Marion Lee Edwards of Morehead City and Gerald Ray Edwards of Chapel Hill. Lee’s family includes his wife, Patricia Hogan Edwards, and four married children: Heidi Helene and her husband William G. Benjaminsen of Marlborough, MA; Robin Marjaleena and her husband Chad D. Dansie of Herriman, UT; Clinton Lee Edwards and his wife Corinne P. Cahoon of Columbia, MD; and Spencer Lewis Edwards and his wife Christina H. Gurney of Bangkok, Thailand. Jerry’s family includes two married children: Melissa and her husband Steven Nowak of Atlanta, GA and Christopher Aaron and his wife Laura Lovette of Durham, NC. Nell is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Carter, Matthew, and Abigail Benjaminsen; Rebecca and Benjamin Dansie; Sheely, Xavier, and Preston Edwards; Rhys Edwards; and Hudson Nowak.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newport Public Library, 210 Howard Blvd, Newport, NC 28570.
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