Obituary

MARY LEE EDWARDS was born in Point Pleasant, WV, on August 17, 1932, to Joe and Nora (Fruth) Loomis. She died at Hubbard House Hospice in Charleston, WV, on August 28, 2026. She was a graduate of Point Pleasant High School. Mary married Harold Kenneth Edwards, Sr., (of Yawkey, WV) on March 21, 1953, in Point Pleasant.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; four brothers: Roy, Carl “Bee,” Elmer “Jack,” and Harold “Mamy”; and two sisters: Helen “Sis” Redman and Reba “Butch” Jacobs.

Mary is survived by her son Harold and son Jack (both of Charleston), daughter Mary Hoke (and husband Ron of Lakeland, FL), daughter Patti Groves (and husband Okey of Frasiers Bottom, WV), five grandchildren (Lee, Joe, and Dominick Groves and Aaron and Amy Hoke), and six great grandchildren. Mary and Harold emphasized education for their children, helping each of their children to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree.

Before her marriage, Mary worked for two years at Sylvania Electric in Point Pleasant making small tubes for the U.S. Navy. When their children were young, Mary stayed at home in Yawkey and worked full-time as a mother. Once all four children were in school, Mary began cleaning houses in Charleston, including the house of Martha Hubbard whose major contribution helped start Hubbard House Hospice. After a few years, she cleaned exclusively for several members of the Dickinson family. In 1987, Mary moved to Charleston and lived the remainder of her life in a garage apartment belonging to a Dickinson family member.

Mary’s latter years were filled with travel, including visiting all seven continents and taking three around-the-world cruises with each cruise lasting about four months. In exchange for making travel arrangements and handling on-board issues for Countess Betty (Dickinson) Gulochowski, Mary was provided a stateroom of her own. Mary also traveled extensively on sternwheel cruises of U.S. rivers and rail trips in the U.S. and Canada.

When in Charleston, one of Mary’s favorite activities was accompanying her son, Harold, on weekly explorations to restaurants. She also immensely enjoyed playing with the cat and/or dog that was then living with her, watching birds at her feeder, and admiring the flowers in her yard.

Mary did not want a visitation or funeral. A small family gathering will be held to spread her ashes.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may want to donate to the Lincoln County Hall of Fame Scholarship for Lincoln County High School students (send donations to The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation in Charleston) or the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements.