Loretta Howe Edwards, 88, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2020, at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She lived a long, full life. She will be greatly missed, but we know she has moved to a better place.
Loretta was born Oct. 28, 1931, to Jesse and Rosa Howe. She grew up in Burlington. Loretta graduated from Campbell University and went on to receive a master’s degree in education from Appalachian State University.
Loretta married Barton Edwards Sr. on Aug. 10, 1956. They moved to Cane River and eventually to Spruce Pine. “Mrs. Edwards” spent her working life teaching elementary grades in Yancey and Mitchell counties. She not only educated the children entrusted to her, but she also cared very much about their futures. She was inducted as a lifelong member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society for key women educators. After retirement, Loretta and Bart enjoyed many years traveling around the nation. In her later years, Loretta lived in Misenheimer, North Carolina, and Newberry, South Carolina.
Loretta had a beautiful singing voice and was active in many church and local choirs during her life. She was the youth choir director at Grassy Creek Baptist Church and participated in many youth events. She participated in the Mitchell County Choral Society presentation of the Messiah for many years. In her spare time, she loved to paint, craft and read.
Loretta is survived by a brother, Carver Howe, of Burlington; three children, Barton Edwards Jr., of Panama City, Florida, Laura Hewett, of Lexington, Virginia, and Pam Davis, of Newberry; two sons-in-law, Ken Hewett and Dave Davis; four grandchildren, Ben and wife, Sarah, Andrew and wife, Brittany, Jesse and husband, Benny, and Dylan; and two great-grandchildren, Parker and Levi Hewett.
Private graveside services and interment are Friday, May 8, 2020, in the Spruce Pine Memorial Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, please make donations to Hospice & Community Care, Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, P.O. Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731
Words of comfort may be emailed to the family by going to www.webbfh.com, selecting Loretta H. Edwards’ name and signing her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home is honored to serve the Edwards family. Mrs. Edwards’ obituary has also been posted on Facebook.
Mitchell News-Journal • May 6, 2020