Nellie Vernell Edmonds

February 17, 1928 - October 9, 2018

Nellie Vernell Edmonds, 90, of Columbus, GA passed away on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at her residence. A celebration of life will be held at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home, 4048 Macon Road, Columbus, GA on Friday, October 12, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m. (EST) with Pastor Bill Purvis officiating. The committal service will take place at Parkhill Cemetery following. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. (EST).

Nellie was born on February 17, 1928 in Ozark, AL to the late Charlie and Mattie Tidwell. She was a homemaker and the matriarch of a very large family whom she loved dearly. Nellie attended Calvary Baptist Church in her later years but was a member at Fairview Baptist church for most of her life. She worked at Heath’s Styling Salon where she made many friends and regaled everyone about her beloved grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, bowling, playing the harmonica, and cheering on her favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.

Nellie was a tireless mother of seven children and worked many years at Swift Spinning Mill to support her family. Because money was tight, she and her children did without the finer things, but they never lacked for her love! For 90 years, this amazing woman served others. She had the most tender heart and would do anything to help at any time. She lived at Calvary Community the last 25 years of her life and she took care of so many friends by taking them to doctor’s appointments, shopping for their groceries, and looking after them when they were sick. She was a model of Christ’s sacrificial love. She loved her family fiercely and never wanted to leave them. But her work on earth was completed and her Lord Jesus called her home. John 14:1-3, says “In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” Although we will miss her terribly, we are rejoicing that she is now receiving the heavenly rewards for her earthly labors.

Other than her parents, Nellie is preceded in death by her son, Denny Edmonds; her grandson, Nathan Edmonds; her granddaughter, Jenna Hunt; her great grandson, Andrew Edmonds; and her brother, Kenneth Tidwell.

Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Winston (Matthew); five sons: Buddy Shavers (Susan), Tommy Edmonds (Lynn), Mike Edmonds (Gay), Don Edmonds (Rebecca), and Carl Edmonds (Robin) 12 grandchildren: Steven J. Hunt (Tina), Warren M. Hunt (Janna), Chuck Shavers (Kelly), Kimberly Granger (Calvin), Robert Edmonds (BreAnn), Melissa Edmonds, Daniel Edmonds (Melissa), Jessica Edmonds Hallam (Evan), Leila Trammel (Robert), Donnie Edmonds, Loryn Purvis (BJ), Chelsey Sawyer (Seth)

24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Vance Brooks

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My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Edmonds family during this time of bereavement. The Bible teaches thatВ " there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteousness."-Acts 24:15.

В В В В My condolences to the Edmonds family and friends. It is a painful thing to lose a precious love one in death, regardless of how long they have lived. It pains our loving Heavenly Father, too. He did not purpose his human family to grow old and die but purpose us to live and enjoy life. It is still his purpose (Psalms 37:11, 29). He calls death an enemy that will be removed forever__1 Corinthians 15:26 вЂњThe last enemy, death, will be brought to nothingвЂќ; Isaiah 25:8. He promised to awaken our love ones in the memorial tombs from asleep in death__ Hosea 13:14 вЂњFrom the power of the Grave I will redeem them; from death I will recover them.вЂќ He promised to reverse the aging process__ Job 33:24,25 вЂњLet his flesh become fresher than in youth; Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.вЂќ What a delight it will be to see them again to enjoy life as our Creator purposed (Psalms 145:16)! Allow these words to keep comforting all of you.

An Azalea Plant was ordered on October 11, 2018

I offer my heart felt love an sympathy for your family at this side ti.MAY GOD BLESS AN KEEP YOU.

She was a wonderful lady. She loved everyone and was always there for others. She will be truly missed. A great loss for us but a great celebration above.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

A Grandma's Garden Table Basket was ordered on October 10, 2018

A Monet's Garden Table Basket was sent on October 10, 2018

We will always Love you and miss you Grandma. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Daniel, Melissa, Liv, & Emmett Edmonds

There is so much to say and not nearly enough time and space to say it. My heart is broken over the loss of my one-of-a-kind Grannie. She was the strongest woman I know- full of love and grace, hopeful, faithful, and selfless to the end. Her family was everything to her. She spent HUNDREDS of Saturdays at the ballpark in sweltering heat to cheer for her boys, and then later for my sister and me. My friends and teammates all knew her well, and could count on an encouraging word from her after the game. Growing up, my sister and I spent summers with her and had slumber parties regularly. She would buy tickets for the 3 of us to special shows at the Civic Center, grab a carry-out pizza, and weвЂ™d enjoy a picnic in her car before the event. She made trips to K-Mart a blast, making a pillow pallet in the shopping cart and letting me and Chelsey ride through the store with new teddy bears and toboggans. She picked me up from Columbus High in her old Buick, and quickly switched seats with me so I could practice driving all the way home. She loved to share with people that she was one of the first people to hear about BJ when I was in 10th grade, and me telling her, вЂњGrannie, I think he likes me.вЂќ My senior year of high school we spent hours together making a beautiful quilt for my senior project. She had never (seriously) quilted before, but eagerly agreed to be my mentor (sorry Magnet program) and we learned together and built a treasure chest of memories. What a blessing it is for me to have that tangible piece of her with me forever.

She told me a year after BJ and I got married to make sure I told my kids one day how much their Great Grannie would love them. I told her she would need to tell them herself, because there was no way I could imagine a world where she wouldnвЂ™t meet my kids. IвЂ™m so grateful I was right! Kellan and Allie knew their Grannie well, and already loved her beyond what I could have ever hoped for.
I was able to FaceTime her last week on her last good day. It was 6am on the west coast so I was fresh out of bed with a bun on the top of my head. I cried and cried and probably totally freaked her out, but she was reassuring and calming. She even cracked a joke at the end and told me not to let her catch me with my hair like that again.
All of of our hearts are broken and heavy, but we are so grateful for the simple treasure of her life well spent. We will be living in the blessing of her fruit for the rest of our lives. I could write for days and days and never scratch the surface of who my Grannie was and how this world, and my life, is better because she was in it. She was the salt of the earth. She is proof that status and privilege mean nothing- that family and faith are everything.
I love you my sweet, sweet Grannie. DonвЂ™t you ever forget it.

My sincere condolences to the family at this time of loss. Even Jesus wept at the loss of a loved loved one. Please draw comfort from the scriptural promises at Acts 24:15 and Rev 21:3, 4 knowing that God cannot lie (Isaiah 46:10, 11).

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.