Favorite Verse: John 3:16
Favorite Hymn: “Because He Lives”
Hobbies: Playing Scrabble and dominoes, reading, working crossword puzzles
Family Status: Widow for 13 years after 65 years of marriage to husband, Theodore; daughters, Nelda Epton, Shirley Ann Foster and Willie Jean Perry; sons, Howard Edwards and Harold Edwards; 14 grandchildren (one of whom is deceased); 24 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren
Mattie Lee Edwards, of Marion, believes in being involved in family, church and community. She has many stories, for example, about Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) meetings in which she and other ladies made quilts for brides-to-be and individuals in need, and of making a mattress for her family during the Depression with cotton, needles and ticking from the government. During the years, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, helped in Bible school and was her church’s WMU president. She also worked for years at a dress shop in Selma. At 98, Edwards reads, works crossword puzzles and is a serious Scrabble player. She was Mrs. Southland Nursing Home in 2009.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My grandparents and my parents took us to church regularly. We lived in Orrville. I was 9 or 10 years old. One night at church there, I felt like the Lord was leading me to accept Him and join the church. It was wintertime.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: I think by these women — WMU women. They would have different programs at their house. I think they had a lot of influence on us and going to Bible school.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: We have things all along during the day here.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: A lot. I’ve been studying the Bible.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: My children come up here at least once a week. The people here at the nursing home say I have more company than anybody here. They are always good to me.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: Whenever we have something here, I go to it. I keep going. I’m very interested in the different things we do.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: I can talk to other people about what I think. I keep interested in other churches too. We have a woman here who is 102 years old. She is a strong Christian and talks to people. She is smart in the Bible.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: It has made me more interested in what the Bible says.
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