Betty Jean Riley Edwards of Waynesboro, TN passed away peacefully on December 9th at the home of her daughter, surrounded by family at the age of 86 years , 11 months, and 16 days young. Born on Green River in Wayne County to Willie Elmer and Bertha (Stutts) Riley, she lived her whole life there. Betty met the love of her life, Leamon Moore (Nub) Edwards and married him January 23, 1953. Betty spent her early years as a homemaker before working in a daycare and later as a Head Start teacher. Most people know Betty by her hobby, baking cakes. She baked birthday and wedding cakes for people for 50 years. After retirement she spent her time with Nub and her family. She enjoyed sitting on the porch watching the traffic and working in her yard. After Nub passed in 2015, she loved traveling with her daughter and spending time with her grands and greats. She was a member of Wayne County Bible Center. Betty was extremely loving and proud of her four children, Ricky and Donna Edwards of Summertown, TN, Shelia and John Davis, Jeff and Theresa Edwards, and LaDonna Edwards, all of Waynesboro, TN. Her pride and joy were her seven grandchildren. She lost Elijah Jack Edwards in 2010 but we know she is rejoicing to see him and his blonde curls again. Her other lights will miss Granny always helping them, baking or cooking for them, or being there for a little reality check. Valerie and Chris Yeiser of Tomball, TX, Brandi Burns , Riley and Jeremy Reese, and Jessica and Seth Dixon all of Columbia TN, and Maegan Edwards, Briar Edwards and Jeremy Davis all of Waynesboro, TN. The fifteen great grandchildren were her blessings: Haleigh, Madison, Ethan, and Katherine Reese; Hunter, Gabrielle, Isabelle, Abigail, and Annaclaire Davis; Kendall and Keegan Burns; and Emma and Cooper Dixon and Aeryn and Averie Yeiser. Her double blessing was her great-great grandson, Colton Davis, and her future grandson, Ryker Riley Stricklin. In addition to her husband and grandson, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Jacqueline Holt, Peggy Kelley, Pat Baer; and two brothers, James Riley and Charles “Buster” Riley.
Funeral Services were held Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 2:00pm at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Waynesboro, TN with Leo Doyle and Bobby Carroll officiating. Burial followed in Shields Cemetery with Shackelford Funeral Directors assisting the family.
