Sarah Martha Edwards Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Sarah Martha Zeigler Edwards of Thomasville died April 18, 2020. Born on September 24, 1920 in Moultrie, Georgia, she was 99 years old at the time of her death. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Edward Zeigler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy B. Edwards, her parents, her brothers George Edward Zeigler, Jr. and Jack Montgomery Zeigler, and her sister Christine Susan Daniel. She grew up in Thomasville with her older brothers and younger sister and developed into a tom boy as a child as she kept up with her older brothers. She played baseball with them, climbed trees, and roller skated in their Crawford and Monroe Streets neighborhood. She told stories of skating down the Monroe Street hill and jumping the curb to the sidewalk below the Big Oak to jump back on the curb after skating across the street. She maintained her physical activities well into her later years, walking her regular route up Gordon Avenue, winning the eldest participate in the Rose City Walk, and maintaining and overseeing the garden work at the home where she lived independently until age 96. Her motto was, “If you don’t use it, you lose it!” Sarah Martha attended the schools of Thomasville except for a short period when her family lived in Columbus, GA. She graduated from Thomasville High School in 1937, having been moved up a grade after returning from Columbus. Upon her return to Thomasville, she met her future husband, Leroy B. Edwards, who she dated during her high school years. After attending Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, she returned to Thomasville where she worked for the National Biscuit Company and later for Georgia Packing Company as an executive secretary. She married Roy Edwards in 1941 at The First Baptist Church of Thomasville. Sarah Martha was involved with many church and community activities and organizations. After her marriage she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville where she was President of the Women of the Church at one time. She was an Emeritus member and former President of The Rambler Rose Garden Club. She enjoyed the activities and friendships of the local chapters of both DAR and UDC which she attended until recent years. She continued to support the Thomasville History Center, the Lapham Patterson House, The Metcalfe Heritage Society, and Thomasville Landmarks. Her recipe contributions decades ago to the Pines and Plantations Cookbook continue to be enjoyed by many. Her greatest devotion was her love and support of her husband and family. She particularly cherished her role to support her husband, Roy, in his numerous church and civic rolls. They had been married for nearly 54 years until his death in 1995. She supported her three sons in all their childhood activities- baseball, football, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts, the Youth Center, and other activities. With her three sons being spaced six and seven years apart in age, she was a Den Mother and played other roles again and again. As new activities for youth in the community came to be, she engaged in those as well. She served for a time as President of the Music and Drama Troup Parents Auxiliary. Her greatest gift was her unconditional love of family and friends which surely came from her upbringing and her faith and the unconditional love of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sarah Martha is survived by sons, Leroy B. Edwards, Jr (Nan), George P. Edwards (Peggy) and William S. Edwards (Laurie) and 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. A private family graveside service will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville. Allen & Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville is in charge of the arrangements. A memorial Service celebrating Sarah Martha’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville at a later time. The family offers grateful appreciation to the caregivers at Southern Pines and Camelia Gardens in Thomasville, as well as Presbyterian Homes in Quitman for their love and care. Organizations which were very special to Sarah Martha and she supported include the First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, 225 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792, The Presbyterian Homes, P.O. Box 407, Quitman, GA 31463, The Thomasville History Center, 725 N. Dawson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792, and the Garden Center Endowment fund, P.O. Box 1273, Thomasville, GA 31799. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial gifts to the organization you may regularly support or one of the groups above.

Sarah Martha Edwards

September 24, 1920 - April 18, 2020