Mary Belle Edwards

Mary Belle (Ingram) Edwards, 93, of Rhome went to be with her Lord Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Memorial Service is 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2026 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur, Texas.

Mary was born April 7, 1933 to James Hogg Ingram and Maggie Inez (Griffin) Ingram in Mexia, Texas. She was united in marriage May 30, 1953 to Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. in Salem, Arkansas. Mary graduated Navarro College with a nursing degree, working many years before retirement as a nurse for the Mexia State School and later the Manor Nursing Home. She was a member of The First Baptist in Decatur and Northside Baptist, spending many years as a servant to the Lord. Mary enjoyed playing Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage, many card games and Yahtzee. She loved to dance, sew and spend time with her friends and family. Mary was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend to many who will dearly miss her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Maggie Ingram; her husband, Thomas E. Edwards, Sr.; her son, Thomas (Thom) E. Edwards, Jr. ; her brothers, William Hubert and James “Doc”; her sisters, Anna, Rose and Sylvia.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Belinda Sue Hente and husband Rick, Marlene Marie Simmons, and Sherry Lynn Ruhl; 10 grandkids; 12 great-grandkids; 13.5 great-great-grandkids; dozens of nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Donations can be made in Mary’s name to First Baptist Decatur to the Children’s Scholarship or Missions 1200 W. Preskitt Rd Decatur, TX 76234 or Mike McInerney Ministries, 701 N. Church St., Decatur, TX 76234.