Obituary of Gwendolyn Thomas Edwards

Mrs. Gwendolyn Thomas Edwards (Gwen), 81, went home to be with our Lord on February 9 after several months of declining health. She will be missed dearly by those that knew her especially her friends at Arlington Baptist Church where she was a member for over sixty years. Gwen was a resident of Swain County the majority of her life, living the winter months in Florida after retirement up until the past two years. She retired in 1984 from Continental Telephone Company and as a local Bryson City merchant and owner. A daughter of the late Ash and Birdie Birchfield Thomas, she is survived by her husband Lyle of Bryson City; a son and daughter-in-law Terry/Vikki Richards Fortner of Dahlonega, GA and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Doyle and five sisters; Jessie Styles, Rose Ann Hughes, Vergie Sue Monteith, Kathleen Davis and Blanche Gibby. The family will receive friends on Friday February 12 at Crisp Funeral Home, Bryson City from 1:00-2:00 PM with a service following the visitation. Clayton Davis (brother-in-law) and Rev. Larry Spencer will officiate. Music will be provided by her nephew, Mr. Ivan Gibby. Burial will be in Swain Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made in her name to Arlington Baptist Church, Building Fund, 670 Hughes Branch Rd, Bryson City NC 28713.