AMERICUS — Mrs. Erna Mae Edwards, age 87, of Americus passed away peacefully surrounded by family early Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at her residence.

Mrs. Erna Mae Brown Edwards was born April 7, 1930, in Georgetown, Mississippi. She was the daughter of the late Sam Brown and the late Mary Campbell Brown. She moved to Americus, Ga., in 1974, with her husband Horace Merton “Ed” Edwards. They owned and operated Badcock Furniture Store on West Lamar Street from 1975 until Ed’s passing in 1989. Mrs. Edwards was a member of Cheek Memorial Baptist Church. She was the matriarch of her family. She very much enjoyed spending time with them, giving them advice, or sharing a kind word with a kiss and a hug. She was a caring, humble, and loving woman that would do anything for her family. She always put everyone before herself. Her smile was infectious to anyone who knew her.

Mrs. Edwards was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Merton “Ed” Edwards; four sisters, Martha “Joe” Johnson, Sammie Riggs, Melba Jones, Pernecey “Bee” Gray; and one brother, Lamar Brown. Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Duchaine of Americus, Ga.; one son, Melvin Leonard “Len” Oliver and his wife Sherry of Mount Juliet, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Ashley Joyner and his wife Brent of Albany, Ga., Melanie Aldridge and her husband Scott of Americus, Ga., Tara Joyner of Ukiah, Calif., Benjamin Oliver and his wife Megan of Ladera Ranch, Calif., and Amber Carr and her husband Brian of Lebanon, Tenn; four great-grandchildren, Eden Joyner, Anna Kate Aldridge, Addison Oliver, and Blake Freedman. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Emily Brown of Warner Robins, Ga., six nieces, and two nephews.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Aldridge Funeral Services. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, in the chapel of Aldridge Funeral Services. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. The Rev. Rick Smith and the Rev. Gary Collier will officiate.

To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family go to www.aldridgefuneralservices.com. Aldridge Funeral Services at 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.