Mairlis Clotene (Johnson) Edwards

        On Mothers Day, May 12, 2019, Mairlis Clotene Edwards, 84, said goodbye to her family in West Virginia and departed to heaven to be reunited with husband of 53 years, Carl Nelson Edwards, and her little girl Betty Edwards, who died while still an infant. She will also be reunited with her older brother, Dallas Johnson, who was killed during World War II, as well as her other brothers Harless Johnson, Orus Johnson, and baby brother Chester. Her last living brother is Gordon Johnson, who lives in Hurricane, West Virginia with his wife Louise.

    Mairlis grew up in rural Putnam County and helped her father Walter Johnson and mother Demma Bryant Johnson raise tobacco, milk cows, and generally tend the farm. She often talked to her grandkids about how hard life was growing up on the farm without the modern conveniences we all enjoy today. She met her husband Nelson Edwards at a young age, got married while working at the telephone company in Charleston, and together they raised their kids Barry Edwards and Lisa Edwards Kidd. Mairlis often talked of the heartache of losing little Betty Edwards to a rare disease when Betty was only one year old.

        Mairlis was very talented, playing the guitar and singing in a traveling family gospel group when her kids were younger. Mairlis also played the accordian, autoharp, and many other stringed instruments. Mairlis and Nelson attended Mount Moriah Baptist Church near Hurricane, West Virginia, , where they both were active for many years.

        Mairlis was thrilled when Barry and Ginny Edwards presented her with the first grandchild, Jarrod Edwards. Soon after, she celebrated when Lisa and Michael Kidd gave her two more grandsons, Aaron Kidd and Andrew Kidd. A couple years after that, Mairlis was again thrilled when Barry and Ginny had twin baby girls. Years later Mairlis spent many days playing with her first great grandchild Sage Rylan Edwards, and later his brother Jacob Edwards.

        In 2013 Mairlis attended the wedding of her grandson Jarrod Edwards when he married Jadea Bartsch Edwards. Mairlis recently received a surprise visit from Jarrod and Jadea Edwards when they brought their new son Easton Edwards to visit her at Teays Valley Assisted Living. In 2015 Mairlis was honored to be a part of the wedding of grandson Andrew Kidd when he married Katherine Szepelak Kidd. Mairlis looked forward to visits from Andrew, Katherine, and their dog Winnie at Teays Valley Assisted Living. Mairlis always looked forward to Aaron and Andrew Kidd bringing their instruments and playing bluegrass songs, to which she would always sing along. 

         Mairlis also was a talented painter, gardener, and cook. During her later years, Mairlis took computer lessons and began preparing a book on her computer to chronicle her life growing up on a farm in Putnam County. She also loved keeping up with her family and friend’s  activities on Facebook. (Many of us thought it was humorous that “grandma Mairlis” was on Facebook!) She loved celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with a huge, home cooked meal, and spoiling her grandkids with gifts and toys.

        After suffering a stroke in early 2018 at her home in Saint Albans, West Virginia, Mairlis was welcomed into her new home at Teays Valley Assisted Living in Hurricane, West Virginia. She was treated like royalty there, and we all thought of the staff as if they were family.

         Mairlis loved her husband, her family, her country, and most of all, her Saviour Jesus Christ. It was her bold testimony of being a Christian that makes her death much easier to bear. Knowing that Mairlis is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus, we can truly say, “O death, where is your victory? O grave, where is your sting?” If Mairlis could leave one message for her family and friends, she would ask you to make your heart right with God, so she can see you again in heaven one day.

        A special thanks to nieces Kathy Corey, Patty Edwards Johnson, Linda Edwards, and friend Ruthie Catlett, for making her life extra special. Also special thanks to the staff at Teays Valley Assisted Living, CAMC General and Hubbard House West for the loving care they provided.

Funeral Service will be at 4:00 on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Allen Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Adkins officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 til 4 prior to the service.

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