February 26, 1938  –  January 9, 2024

VERONA / AMORY – A great ole soul, Albie Mae Kalina Edwards, realized the promises of her lifelong faith and met her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from Gilmore Hospital in Amory. She was 85 years old. Albie was born in Paynesville, Ohio on Feb. 26, 1938, the first born of 4 to the late Elmer Kalina and Donna Wilkerson Kalina. She met and later married Hoyle Edwards on July 27, 1956, a marriage of 61 years until his death on July 7, 2018. Hoyle and Albie made their home in Verona for 57 years before she relocated to Amory 4 years ago to be near her daughter.

A great conversationalist and master sales lady, Albie spent over 30 years as a beloved sales associate for Sears. After retiring from there, she spent several years working for Mitchell Center at Traceway Manor where she thoroughly enjoyed working with the elderly and their families. She had a selfless love of others and was a natural caregiver for her family and many others over her lifetime. A devout Christian and faithful and active member of the Tupelo Church of the Nazarene, she led singing, played the piano, taught Sunday school, and served as church treasurer.

Completely devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, “Granny” doted over all of them right up until her death. She enjoyed cooking, gardening with Hoyle, kept daily diaries for many years of her life, collected ceramic and porcelain shoes and dressing always to the 9s. Albie lived a life of strong faith with adherence to the Golden Rule as her creed. She will be sorely missed by her family and a wide circle of friends.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 3 PM Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Bro. Justin Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Crossroads Cemetery in the Auburn Community. Visitation will be from 4 PM-6 PM Thursday (1/11/24) and from 2 PM-service time on Friday, all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to serve their friends.

She is survived by her children, daughter Suzy Chaney (Ricky) of Amory, and sons, Ricky Edwards (Cyndi) and Joey Edwards, all of Mooreville; her grandchildren, Crystal Towery (Stephen) of Fulton, Amber Mooneyham (Greg) of Mooreville, Blake Edwards (Brittney) of Auburn, Seth Chaney (Samantha) of Amory, and Danielle Smith (Brandon) of Tupelo; 14 great-grandchildren; her sister, Tracey Dalrymple (Herbie, deceased) of Alabama, and two brothers, Bruce Kalina (Linda, deceased) and Lyle Kalina (Jane) all of Ohio; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Hoyle.

For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at 3 PM Friday at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming.

Memorials may be made to the Shine Foundation, P.O. Box 3, Mooreville, MS 38857.

Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.