Vera Viola Snelling Edwards was born June 28, 1937, to Edward Snelling and Mattie Opal Whitfield in Daviess County, Kentucky. She spent her early years with her brother Charles in Owensboro, Kentucky where she met the love of her life George Stowers Edwards, whom she met and married two weeks later on September 9, 1955. Dedicated to the Air Force, she followed George all over the United States (and abroad) while raising three daughters, Karen, Tomi, and Sandi. They retired in Maryland in 1971 and then returned to Hawesville, Kentucky to live on their farm in 1975.
Vera was known to many in Hancock County after her years of work with Hancock Bank & Trust as a teller. She left that role, only to travel with George selling antiques at malls all across the southern states. She had a particular love of Destin, Florida with its white beaches, and had many pictures walking her beloved dog Punkin. She was a frequent visitor of the local A&B Florist and sent her loved ones flowers for every major event. She collected everything and shared that love of “junk” with all of her daughters. She cooked wonderfully (except for biscuits), and her love language was food. Everything was solved over a meal, and she cooked both Thanksgiving and Christmas for her whole family, well into her 80s.
She was Granny to her grandchildren. Her three oldest granddaughters would tell you she was the most fun, taking them to Holiday World every summer, having tea parties, summer swimming lessons, watching endless “plays” and giving them anything they wanted. She broke their hearts every time she left for an antique show because they would love to spend more time with her at the farm. She was gifted with two more grandchildren 15 years later who kept her young. They gave her purpose, and she kept them both with her until they started school. She learned all of the new toys and watched new cartoons, always having time to spend with them. She was never too busy for them. All five would tell you she was their favorite. She was also the favorite of their friends; they all knew her as Granny.
To her five great-grandchildren, she was “Old Gaga” a name that she only recently told us she didn’t like. She never considered herself old. She kept all five of them until they started school as well. Cementing her role as the favorite. She knew each one of them, what they loved, and knew all of them until she left this world. She played with them all, from dinosaurs to dolls, and she kept special things for each of them. The youngest two arrived just in time to keep her from dwelling on George’s passing in 2011.
She was the proudest of her family and all the things they’d accomplished. In her final days, she said many times that she had the best family. What she didn’t know was that she was the best, not us. What a legacy of love she leaves behind.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, her brother, a daughter, Tomi Mathew, a granddaughter Katherine Estes, son-in-law Charles Moton, and a baby in infancy.
She is survived by her daughters Karen Moton and Sandi Edwards; her grandchildren Mary Moton, Jessica (Kyle) Estes, Annie (Andrew) Rumage, Noah Thomas, and Madesyn Thomas; her Great-grandchildren Cameron, Cassie, Carissa Estes, Lydia and Ben Rumage; and her best friend of 75 years Joanne Buckner.
A celebration of her life will take place later this summer when the grass is green, and flowers are blooming by throwing a party. Private invitations will be sent to friends and family.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Vera Viola Snelling Edwards. Leave your messages of condolence for the family of Mrs. Edwards and sign her virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.