Mary Jean Edwards (72) of Cowden

Mary Jean Edwards, 72, of Cowden, Illinois passed away at 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022, in Ash Grove Cemetery in Windsor with Reverend Darrell Hinkle officiating. Lockart-Green Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mary was born on March 24, 1949, in Brule, Wisconsin, the daughter of Louis Harry and Mabel Anna (Lord) Hoyt. Mary and Arthur Edwards Sr. were united in marriage on December 14, 1968, in Superior, Wisconsin and were blessed with 53 years of marriage. Mary touched many lives, young and old, in her 30 years teaching Sunday School at the First Christian Church in Cowden and her years working as a caregiver in the Cowden area. May she be smiling from heaven, pleased with the full and wonderful life she lived, and the many lives she so positively and beautifully touched. Mary enjoyed crafting, painting signs and pastel portraits. She shared her talents by teaching art classes in the Lakewood area for many years. Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She doted on her family and was happiest when her large brood surrounded her. She will be dearly missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur Edwards Sr., of Cowden; four children: Fred (Amy) Hoyt of Cowden, Arthur Edwards Jr., of Herrick, John (Jodie) Edwards of Beecher City and Patrick (Lindey) Edwards of Shelbyville; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two greatgreat grandchildren and one brother, Jack Hoyt of Superior, Wisconsin.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Louis and Mabel Hoyt; daughter-in-law, Lorraine Edwards; five brothers: Butch, Jim, Gerry, Daniel and Clifford; five sisters: Genny, Louise, Virginia, Beatrice and Fanny.

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Mary’s honor by clicking here.