Grace Edwards, 96, of Nantahala Community died Monday, December 17, 2012 at her residence. She was a native and lifetime resident of Macon County. She retired after 17 years from Owenby Manufacturing and was a lifetime member of the Briartown Baptist Church. Her hobbies included gardening and needlework and being a homemaker.

She was the daughter of the late Dave and Nola Cochran Owenby and the wife of the late Darrell Edwards, who died May 6, 1985. She was also preceded in death by six brothers, Edgar, Eckle, Furman, Van Buren, D.L., and Warren Owenby.

Surviving are a daughter, Cynthia Griffin and husband, Jim of Nantahala; a son, J.D. Queen and wife, Alice of Andrews; a sister, Lucille Ayers of Swansboro, NC; two grandchildren, David Griffin of Lakeland, FL and David Queen and wife, Tammi of Andrews; and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Thursday, December 20, 2012 in the Briartown Baptist Church with the Revs. S.J. Waters and Dean Bateman officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Roger Cochran, Sidney May, Pearly and Hoyt Owenby, and Gary and Donald Cross.  Honorary pallbearers were Bert Bateman, David Solesbee, Verdon Owenby, and Randy Shook.

The family received friends from 12:30-1:45 Thursday afternoon at the Briartown Baptist Church prior to the services.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Grace Edwards to the Briartown Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Juanita Deweese, 19292 Wayah Road, Aquone, NC 28781.

Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.