Betty Edith Josephine Lemons passed away Friday, February 7 at the age of 81. She was a resident of Gaylesville, Alabama. 

Edith was born in Summerville, Georgia to the late Robert Luke Murphy and the late Lillie Mae Murphy. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Ray Lemons (Ray), her son John Lemons, and her grandson Gavin Lemons. She was a member of Alpine Community Church. 

Survivors include her son, Robert Lemons (Bobby) and her daughter-in-law, Sandra Lemons; her daughter, Michelle Lemons; brother, Phillip Murphy; sisters, Vikki Entrekin, Kathy Mobbs, and Sheilah Bryson; grandchildren, Jonathon Lemons, Kaitlyn Lemons, Jay Broome, and Regan Broome; great-grandchildren, Korbin, Baylor, Calliope, and Lily; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. 

Graduating from Gaylesville School in Gaylesville, Alabama in 1961, Edith would later attend business school in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, she met her husband, Ray, as he was on leave from the Marine Corps, visiting his mother. Edith telephoned her mother immediately, saying that she had met her husband, and they were united in matrimony a few short days later. Their love was only divided by death after 56 years of marriage.

Edith was a skilled seamstress who had retired from Best Manufacturing and an outstanding cook, serving for several years as Deli Manager for Lucky’s Supermarket in Menlo, Georgia. 

She was a long term survivor of breast cancer and struggled with COPD for many years. Known for her straightforward and humorous communication style, she would regularly warn family members and even strangers about the consequences of smoking by offering them her weighty portable oxygen machine to hold. 

Edith’s love for people knew no bounds. As the oldest of five, her siblings view her as a second mother. Her family and her love for God were her greatest joys. 

A memorial service to celebrate Edith’s life will be held on Monday, February 10 at Chelsea Baptist Church, 6583 Hwy. 337, Summerville, Georgia. The family will receive friends at 1:00 EST until the service at 2:00. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial donation to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html) or the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation (https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/).