Mattie Edwards

Mattie Shepherd Russ Edwards, of Bladenboro, died on October 16, 2014. Sheppy was born on December 2, 1941, in Elizabethtown, NC, and was the oldest child of William Love Russ and Gladys Worthington Blackburn Russ.

She grew up in Elizabethtown, and was renowned among her classmates for her basketball skills as a high school athlete. She married and moved with her young family from Elizabethtown to Dunn, then to Pelham, before returning to Bladenboro to raise her children.

Sheppy retired in 2007 having worked more than 30 years with Wachovia (Wells Fargo) Bank. This allowed her to spend more time with her children and grandchildren, and to crochet dozens of afghans for friends and family. Most of these were completed during football and basketball seasons as she enjoyed keeping up with favorite teams and players.

An avid reader, she especially liked Jane Austen books. She has passed this love of reading to all three of her granddaughters.

She was a fiercely independent woman, an amazing mother, a doting "Nana", a supportive and loving sister, an outstanding mother-in-law, a remarkable friend, and, above all, a Christian. She was actively involved in her church, and studied her Bible daily.

Sheppy was an avid NC State Wolfpack fan, only missing two home football games in the 15 years preceding her illness. She taught her grandchildren the fight song at an early age, and reveled in reminding friends at church and at work about where her sports loyalties lay. Indeed, she believed that "real women wear red!" In fact, if you have a little something red to wear if you attend a service, we know that would make her smile. (She really disliked those new all black NC State Wolfpack uniforms!).

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her sister, Cheryl Russ Hawes.

She is survived by her children Norman Jefferson (Jeff) Edwards, Jr. (Harriett) of Wake Forest, Wendy Love Edwards Sharpe (Ron) of Cary, and Jennifer Lynn Edwards Jones (Freddie) of Fuquay-Varina; three granddaughters, Victoria Love Sharpe, Kristen Cheryl Jones, and Olivia Carrie Jones; one brother, William Love (Bill) Russ, Jr. (Janet) of Lexington, SC; two sisters, Ellen Russ Zuber (Ray) of Calabash, and Anna Russ Johnson (Lynn) of Garland; brother-in-law Dennis Hawes (Martha); and numerous extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, October 18, 2014, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home, 3131 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, NC. Services will be conducted Sunday, October 19, 2014, at 3:00 pm at Sandy Grove Baptist Church, 8299 NC 242 Hwy S, Bladenboro, NC. Burial will follow in Elizabethtown Cemetery.

Special appreciation is extended to the outstanding Community Health Care and Hospice team that so graciously cared for Sheppy and her family during this extended illness, particularly Judy, Nancy, Vivian, LaWanda and Jennifer.

Memorial donations may be made to:
Community Home Care & Hospice
7714 Chapel Hill Road
Raleigh, NC 27606

Please include a note that the donation is in memory of Sheppy Edwards.