Laverne Everitt Edwards, devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, entered into the presence of the Savior she served on Monday, September 19, 2016. Services will be held Wednesday, September 21, at Poplar Springs Baptist Church with 10 a.m. visitation and services at 11 a.m. Rev. Clay Norwood and Dr. James Spencer will officiate. Newton County Funeral Home-South is in charge of the arrangements. 601-635-3200

She was born February 26, 1922, in the Cross Roads community to Edmund and Bertha Everitt, the youngest of eight children. She attended Cross Roads School where she graduated Valedictorian of her class.

On August 21, 1948, she married the love of her life Daniel Edwards of Newton. Together Dan and Laverne built their home in the Poplar Springs community where they were active members of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, worked the family dairy farm and gardened. Most importantly, they raised two beautiful and godly daughters, Mary Ann and Martha Sue, who were their parents' joy. Eventually, their family would grow to include two sons-in-law, four grandchildren (three in-laws), and four great grandchildren. The values of Christian living and the prayers of these Christian parents can still be felt in the lives of their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Laverne's home and her heart were open to all and through the years multitudes of ministers, young people, family and friends were blessed to eat at her table and delight in the warmth of her friendship. She was a talented and expert quilter and once the garden was brought in and vegetables canned, she spent the winter months sewing quilts (with special assistance from Dan) that would be gifted to family and friends.

She was preceded by her husband of 57 years, Dan, her daughter, Martha Sue Edwards Jones, her parents, three brothers, William Clyde Everitt, Charlie Germany Everitt, James Roy Everitt and four sisters, Nona Belle Everitt Cooper, Mary Lucile Everitt, Edna Everitt Edwards and Ida Everitt Traxler.

She is survived by daughter, Mary Ann Edwards Norwood of Pelahatchie; sons-in-law Jerry Norwood of Pelahatchie and Bob Jones (Carol) of Brandon; grandchildren Rev. Daniel Clayton Norwood (Kim) of Bogalusa, Louisiana, Dr. Holly DeAnna Norwood of Hattiesburg, Dr. William Harrison Jones (Katie) of Brandon, and Sara Elizabeth Jones Gatewood (Timothy) of Pearl; great grandchildren Ethan and Olivia Norwood of Bogalusa, and Levi and Lucy Jones of Brandon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Dr. Will Jones, Timothy Gatewood, Scotty Cooper, Paul Edwards, Tony Adams, and Frank Leatherwood. The family would like to thank Anita Nettles and the staff at Woodland Court for their loving and attentive care to Laverne during the past few years.