Mary Elizabeth Edwards Miller Francis realized the promises of her lifelong faith and met her Creator at 6:45 AM Saturday, May 11, 2024, from Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was 87. Born in the Cedar Bluff Community of Clay County on Oct. 7, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Emmett and Sarah Felder Edwards. Mary graduated from Montpelier High School in Clay Co. She married Lieutenant Karl Miller in 1954 and moved to Tacoma, Washington. After Karl completed his service with the U.S. Army in 1955, they returned to Mississippi where Karl served as a soil conversation scientist for many years in several different Mississippi locations. They moved to Plantersville in1966 where she and Karl became active members of the First Baptist Church of Plantersville. A devout, Godly woman, she was a faithful participant in the ministries of the church including being a Sunday School teacher, a member of the WMU, and an active choir member as she loved singing. She was also a staunch promoter of the Mississippi Baptist Children and Youth Bible Drills where she provided leadership for over 40 years. Mary worked as a substitute teacher at Plantersville Jr. High School before working as a teller at the People’s Bank and Trust. Mary began her service with the U. S. Postal Service eventually becoming Postmaster at Plantersville where she retired in 2001 after over 25 years of service. Following retirement, she continued serving as an active member and leader in NAPUS, a postmaster’s organization, for many years. She was beloved by the people of Plantersville who counted on her for prompt mail service. After Karl’s death in 2001, she married longtime Plantersville resident, Billy Francis in 2002, who died in 2005. Mary moved to Meridian a year ago to be cared for by her youngest daughter Anna and joined Calvary Baptist Church there where her daughter and family are members. She loved knitting, gardening, bird watching, and was an avid Miss. State Sports fan, especially football. A strong, independent businesswoman but the most kind-hearted soul ever, Mary lived her life with joy for her family and friends, a smile and kind word for everyone, and a time-tested, furious love of Jesus that brought her to her eternal reward. She will be missed by a grateful family and many friends.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church-Plantersville with her son-in-law, Rev. Tom Belcher, officiating. A private family committal service will follow in the Plantersville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 PM-7PM Monday (5/13/24) at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo and from 10 AM-service time on Tuesday at the church. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends. (662 840 5000)
Mary is survived by her four children: John Miller (Nancy) of Springfield, VA, Paul Miller (Sharon, deceased) of Birmingham, AL, Sara Beth Miller Francis (Ronnie) of Madison, AL, and Anna Miller Belcher (Tom) of Meridian, MS; a step-daughter, Janice Francis Gray (Bill) of Lake Charles, LA; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren who loved their Grandma or Grandma Mary; a brother, Jimmy Edwards (Pam, deceased) of Cedar Bluff; and a brother-in-law, Herbert George “Bo” Miller (Henrietta) of Quitman, MS. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Karl Miller and Billy Francis, a sister, Marguerite Stafford, and a sister-in-law, Doris Miller Provenzano.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
