Ireba C. EDWARDS

James R.
April 25, 1920-February 18, 2020

Poppop
Please see military marker

Ireba C.
July 13, 1919-March 2, 2016

Nana

Married June 19, 1943

*Photo/information, courtesy of Ruth Teal

*Obituary James
Our precious daddy and PopPop, James R. (Dick) Edwards, went to meet Jesus and see his sweet Nana on the morning of February 18, 2020, just a little shy of his 100th birthday

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, February 22nd, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Chapel with Bro. Tobey Clement officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Branon Funeral Home.

Dick was born on April 25th, 1920, in Warsaw, Missouri to Charles Richard Edwards and Mora Ell (Hughes) Edwards. After graduation from Joplin High School he moved to Picher, Oklahoma to work for the Eagle Picher Mining Company. While in Picher he met and married his sweetheart, Reba Farley, on June 19, 1943. They were married for the next 74 years.

He served in the United States Navy from 1944 until 1946, at which time he began his career with the United States Postal Service

Moving to Lamesa in 1950, Dick worked his way up the professional ladder, eventually becoming Post Master and serving in that capacity until his retirement. He joined the local Rotary Club, serving as secretary for three years and was the club president 1985-1986. As a member of First Baptist Church, he served as a Sunday School teacher for the Junior Boys and Young Mens classes, and as Training Union director. He also served on the board of directors for the Lamesa Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his only daughter, Melody Young; grandson Shane (Elissha) of Pena Blanca, New Mexico, and Shawn (Lacy Kellam) of Austin; Kelsey Young, Staples, TX; great-grandchildren Kolton, Aurora, Sophia, and name-sake Micah James and Nacy Young, and Zephany Pickett; nephews Jim (Dorothy) Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Carl Smith of Hot Springs, Arkansas; niece Dorothy (Bud) Sample of Garden Grove, California.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Don Ray, and four sisters, Thelma, Pauline, Orene, and Dorothy.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice of the South Plains, especially his nurse Clint Conner and his Home Health Aide, Tina Wall. An enormous thank-you goes to the staff of BeeHive #1 who have been his family for the past two years, and have loved and cared for him faithfully during his stay. We would also like to thank three special men " Leon Wilson, Jay Kinnison, and Blaine Middleton, who were so faithful to visit daddy and bring him so much joy, and to many others who stopped by for an occasional visit.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, First Baptist Church of Lamesa, or White Stone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1549, Pena Blanca, New Mexico.
Philippians 1:3-6

*Obituary Ireba
Funeral services for Ireba Edwards, 96, of Lamesa will be held Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Lamesa with Pastor Jim Medley officiating. Interment will follow in Lamesa Memorial Park under the direction of Branon Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday, March 4, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Branon Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ireba Connelia Farley-Edwards was born in Picher, OK on July 13, 1919. She was called home to be with our Lord on March 1, 2016. She is survived by her husband, Dick Edwards; her daughter, Melody Young, both of Lamesa, TX; her niece Dorothy Sample and husband Bud Sample of California; her nephew David Farley; her grandsons and families, Shane Young and wife, Elissha and great-grandchildren Aurora and Sophia of Lamesa, TX and Kelsey and Kolten of Austin, TX, Shawn Young and Lacy Kellam and great-grandchildren Nacy and Zephany of Austin, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin W. and Dorothy Farley of Picher, OK; and her brother, Pete Farley of California. As a child Ireba grew up in the Oklahoma mining town of Picher, where her father was a dentist and her mother a homemaker. It was here where, while working as a ticket taker at the movie, she met the love of her life, Dick Edwards, who had come to see the movie but found her instead. She began a career of teaching and did so as the band director in Picher. She and Dick relocated to Lamesa and her passion for art and music she shared with everyone around her. There was never a time when she didn't have some type of project that she was painting or cutting or something. As her family grew and her life expanded, she became known as "Nana" to family and "Mrs. Reba" for most everyone else. She was very active in her community and church. She played beautiful piano and shared that gift with countless students. She taught piano out of her home for many years following her retirement from teaching. She loved to cook, paint, draw and pretty much do whatever was placed in front of her. She had a passion for stuffed teddy bears and filled her life and her home with them. Our dearest Nana, although you are not with us here anymore, there is great comfort and joy in our hearts knowing that you are Home. We will miss your smile, your hugs and your wonderful personality and look forward to reuniting with you again. The world lost an angel when you left but Heaven gained another saint. We love you!! To send condolences online, please visit www.branonfuneralhome.com.

Branon Funeral Home
Published by Branon Funeral Home on March 2, 2016

Contributed on 4/24/22 by neldapat
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