1951 was a great year. Harry Truman was in the White House, the Korean War was in full swing, and TOO Young by Nate King Cole was number one on the charts. Also, the sitcom I Love Lucy made its debut on TV, the Walt Disney Classic Alice in Wonderland premiered, and the first Jack-in-the-Box was opened.

Among the wide scope of world events, another event took place that year. A young couple from the Sandhills of Chesterfield County moved to Concord, North Carolina to work at Cannon Mills. With little money, but unparalleled tenacity, Joe and Inez Melton had their first born child that same year. To her father's delight, no doubt, it was a baby girl. Mary Frances Melton was brought home from the hospital to the modest apartment. Her childhood was spent roaming the street and alleyways of Concord. She developed a work ethic of steel at an early age from the example of her parents. From her father she learned humility and magnanimity. Her mother taught her to cook and be a faithful wife and mother. Donning handmade dresses stitched with her mother's loving hands, she proudly sat at her mother's side at church every Sunday.

1969 she married her husband of 35 years, Ronnie Edwards. They had four children.

On Wednesday, May 29, as the evening Sun began to set, Mary Frances Melton Edwards, entered into an eternal bliss with the Savior who purchased her. We can only imagine the glad reunion with her father and mother, her brother, and her husband, on Heaven's shore. The epitaph that she would cherish most is "Loving Mother and Grandmother." She was a fierce protector of her children and grandchildren and devoted her life to their wellbeing. For her, the greatest sound to grace her ears was to hear the door open and a voice call out "Mawmaw!"

She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. She "seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong."

Like a might oak, tall and strong, unbent, she stood through the storms of her life, never faltering nor failing. She, undaunted by sorrow's rude intrusion, embraced life to the fullest. Like a regal queen she presided over her treasures - Donnie, Junior, Rhonda, and Samuel. Under her branches she provided shade and protection for her children.

She is survived by husband, Donald Ostrander; children, Donnie Edwards (Donna), Ronnie Edwards, Jr. (Lisa), Rhonda Courtney (George) and Samuel Edwards (Miranda); grandchildren, Kaitlyn Courtney (Pressley), Audrey Courtney (Dylan), Kyle Courtney (Suzanne), Chandler Edwards and Chloe Edwards; and grant grandchildren, Haiden Rollins and Wrenleigh Rollins; her siblings, Frankie Melton, Gail Eason (John), Shirley Sanders, Kathy Laney (Frankie) and Lisa Terry (Dennis) also lots of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Baumgartner Funeral Home.

There will be a Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Antioch Baptist Church with Pastor Frankie Melton and Pastor Tony Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 18 Campbell Road, Jefferson, SC 29718.

Arrangements are entrusted to Baumgartner Funeral Home of Pageland, South Carolina (www.baumgartnerfh.com).