Obituary of Margaret Ree Edwards

Margaret Ree Edwards, 89, of Dowagiac, went to be with her Lord on Monday, September 19, 2022, while surrounded by her family.

Margaret was born on October 6, 1932, in French Camp, Mississippi to the late Earlie and Lucille (Thompson) Murff.  On March 14, 1947, Margaret married Willie Edwards in Louisville, Mississippi and together the two had nine children. Margaret was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church in Dowagiac for over 70 years and she retired from Berrien General Hospital where she was a nurse’s aide for 37 years. Being a caregiver was her passion; Margaret was the Church Mother, served as a nurse, was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, an Eastern Star, loved her family more than her own life, enjoyed cooking for anyone who would eat, and enjoyed her time traveling with the Freewill Ladies. Margaret was also a Board Member with the Cass County Community Action Agency.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earlie and Lucille Murff; husband, Willie J. Edwards; children, Jesse Edwards, L. David (Maxine) Edwards, and Lavernis Edwards; siblings, Floyd (Essie) Murff, Horace (Genetta) Murff, Elizabeth (MP) Black, Georgia (Levi) Garrett, Mary (Marshall) Hawkins, Jerlean Smith, Jeraldine Murff, and Junior (Dorothy) Coleman; son-in-law, Tony Farrow; great-granddaughter Siera Klees and great-great-grand daughter Ahnnaliyah Klees.

Margaret is survived by her children, Patricia Farrow of Dowagiac, Phyllis (Antony) Burrell of South Bend, Wayne Edwards of Dowagiac, Donald Edwards of Dowagiac, Alisa Jefferson of Dowagiac, and Leslie “Faye” Edwards of Dowagiac; daughter-in-law, Geraldine Edwards and Juanita Cramer-Edwards; grandchildren, Tonya Bradshaw, Tracy Haines, JoAnn Watkins, Deborah Brookins-Edwards, Sharene Green, James Edwards, Katarri Edwards, Leetarrus Edwards, Dawanna Molten, Ja’Leesa Edwards, Gary Hogan Jr., Ashley Newell, Levernace Ratcliff, Peggy Ward, Donald Hogan, Chantilla Boetang, Nikki Edwards, La’Toya Prude, and Daniel Ibarra; 38 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Henry “Jim” Murray and Athon Smith; special nieces and nephews, Connie Davis, Mattie Amos, Andre Murff, Rickey Murff; special God-children, Glennis Godbee, Dean Pompey, Earl Collins, and Henry Ward; and many extended family members and close friends.

Homegoing services to honor and celebrate Margaret’s life will be held on Monday, September 26, 2022, at Second Baptist Church in Dowagiac at Noon with a time of visitation one hour prior.  Her pastor, Rev. Maurice Broadway will be officiating and Margaret will be laid to rest at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens next to her husband, Willie.

Donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the Dementia Society of America or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 

The family would like to thank Caring Circle Hospice and The entire PACE team, especially Lauren Perry and Yumi, for the exceptional care of Margaret.