Mary Belle Edwards Comer Klages, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Smithfield, Va., on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 surrounded by her family.
Born Oct. 26, 1926, in Henderson, N.C., Mary was the daughter of the late Henry and Augusta Edwards. She had lived closer to her family and in Isle of Wight County for the past five years.
Mrs. Klages was a devoted and beloved mother, grandmother, and sister. She is survived by four daughters: Sandie Copeland, of Newport News, Va., Debbie Owens and husband, Chuck, of Smithfield, Va., Jamie Collins, of Suffolk, Va., and Ann Williams and her husband, Eddie, of Burlington, N.C.; one son, Bruce Comer, and his wife, Billie, of Drewryville, Va.; eight grandchildren, Ronnie Copeland, Brett Copeland, Joe Owens, Scott Owens, Travis Collins, Matthew Edwards, Brandon Edwards, and Tommy Williams; her sister, Grace Mitchell, of Henderson, N.C., and her brother, Carl Edwards, and his wife, Anne, all of Henderson, N.C. Mary is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 18, at the J.M. White Funeral Home, 60 Zeb Robinson Road, Henderson, NC 27536, with the Rev. Dr. Donald R. Rhoton officiating. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service for visitation. Burial will follow in New Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Weldon’s Mill Road, Henderson.
The family suggests memorial contributions to their mother’s memory to Heartland Home Health and Hospice Car, 150 Burnetts Way No. 220, Suffolk, VA 23434, or the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, care of Lois R. Little, P.O. Box 4, Rescue, VA 23424.
Local arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield, Va. Pallbearers for the service will be Brett Copeland, Travis Collins, Joe Owens and Ray Edwards.