Virginia Nell Edwards, known by many as Nell and by her family as Big Mama, Mama Nell and Grandmother Nell, died Sunday, July 16, 2023 at the North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. She was 80 years old. Born April 9, 1943 in Tupelo to the late Eugene Banks and Laura Lee Hunt Banks in Tupelo, she lived her whole life here and professed her love for the Lord at an early age. She attended the Old Belden School. Nell was a faithful and valued employee at Hunter Sadler Mfg. for over 40 years. She enjoyed playing cards, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family. A member of New Lebanon MB church, Nell loved her church, reading her Bible and was active in the choir. She loved gospel singings and flowers. Purple was her favorite color.
A celebration of life service will be held at 12 PM Noon on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at New Lebanon MB Church (3 North Coley Road, Tupelo, MS. 38801) with Pastor Billy Rainey officiating. Visitation will be from 5 PM to 7 PM Friday, July 21, 2023 at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo and from 11 AM to service time on Saturday at the Church. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant MB Church Cemetery. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.
Virginia is survived by her son, Cedale Edwards (Jacqueline), and daughters; Mary Eades and Cheryl Kendrick (Preston); her brother, Eugene Banks, and sisters, Jeanetter Pinson (Henry), Louise Gulbert, Jural McGee, Ester Jones (Lester), Wilma Rainey (Billy), and Shirley Enos (James); 7 grandchildren, Devechio Edwards, Chastity Vaughn, Latosha Edwards, Quizena Edwards, Brandi Aldridge (John), Tylinda Meardie, and Cherica Meardie; and 9 great-grandchildren, Derek, Kendall, Amarion, Ayden, Gabrielle, Dylan, Janiya, Tyland, and Olivia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Laura Lee Banks; her husband, Celodis Edwards; siblings Christine Topps, Linda Banks, Charles Banks, and W.C. Banks; and grandson Nappannee Floyd
