Melba Sanford Edwards

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Melba Sanford Edwards, 78, passed away Monday, November 29, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. A visitation will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The service celebrating her life will be held Friday, December 2, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Both the visitation and service will be held at Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford. Interment will immediately follow the services at Shiloh Cemetery. Dane Sanford will officiate. Coleman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Melba was born on November 14, 1944 to the parents of Thurman and Stella Sanford in Morton, Mississippi. After graduating high school, she began employment as an Administrative Assistant/ Payroll Clerk. Melba was married for 51 years to Thomas Dean Edwards. They shared four children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family. One of her greatest joys was gathering her family for Sunday lunch where they created new memories and relived past one. Melba and Thomas Dean enjoyed traveling and experiencing new places. They enjoyed traveling out west to visit family and their annual trip to visit with the 509th Air Force Squadron friends from Thomas Dean's military days. Melba was very involved with the Homemakers Association of Pontotoc and loved their luncheons and their many service projects for the community. She loved Christmas and donating to the Angel Tree and Samaritan's Purse. One of the highlights of the month was the time she spent with her Bunco ladies. They were especially important to her after the passing of Thomas Dean. She loved her church family and their Wednesday night dinners. Melba will leave an empty space in the lives of many friends, as well as her family. Although Melba has departed this life, her memory will live on in those who loved and cherished her the most. Melba is survived by her children, Shawn (Kathy) Edwards, Keith (Meredith) Edwards, Rickey Rutz, and Hope (Joey) Gardner; her grandchildren, Meghan Edwards, Aubrey Edwards, Kristina (Josh) Kyle, Cody Edwards, Hailey Edwards, Makon Edwards, Marleigh Edwards, Tyler Gardner, and Ben Gardner; her great- grandchildren, Thomas Kyle and Grace Kyle; and her siblings, Sherry (Mike) Sherman and Dane (Beth) Sanford. She was preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Edwards; her husband, Thomas Dean Edwards; her brothers, Bo and Buddy Sanford; and one sister, Sue Ferguson. In lieu of traditional flowers, donations can be made to the Gideon’s Bible Association at (https://www.gideons.org/) and The American Cancer Association at (https://www.cancer.org/donate). Coleman Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Edwards family during this time of loss. Please leave online condolences to her Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.

Melba Sanford Edwards

November 14, 1944 - November 29, 2022

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