Ruby Merle Edwards– age 94, formerly of Edwards Road in Maynardville, TN died December 25, 2017. She was born on January 28, 1923, in Paris, TN and grew up there on the family’s dairy farm. In addition to helping run the family’s dairy farm she also worked for TVA in the Reservoir and Properties Management department in Paris, TN prior to her marriage. She married her husband Ben Quintell Edwards, her best friend Sue’s brother, on February 5, 1949. They raised three children in Southaven, MS. When Ben retired from Illinois-Central Railroad in 1981, they moved to Maynardville, TN and enjoyed almost 25 years of retirement together on beautiful Norris Lake. Merle and Ben were active members of the Hickory Valley Baptist Church until they moved to a condo in Knoxville in 2004 and then to Elmcroft Assisted Living in 2008. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage until Ben passed away on November 21, 2010. Merle continued living at Elmcroft until her death and was loved by the staff there or her sweet nature and warm smile. Merle was a kind and gentle person, a devoted wife, loving mother, a proud grandmother, and an excellent cook. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to Elmcroft of West Knoxville and Smoky Mountain Hospice and all of those who took such special care of her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Willie Hill and five siblings. Merle is survived by her son Michael Edwards and partner Richard Cummings; daughter Gwen Edwards and husband Neil Battle; son Steven Edwards and wife Maria; granddaughter April and her husband Micah Sumner; and great grandsons Eric and Harrison Sumner.

A visitation for Merle will be held from 11am-1pm on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville, TN. The burial will follow the visitation at Yadon Cemetery on Walkers Ford Road in Maynardville. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.