Mrs. Eleanor Mae Hudson Edwards, age 92, a resident of Washington, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at her home.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the First Baptist Church in Washington, conducted by Dr. Greg Barmer and Greg Hombirg. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Marc Edwards, Lance Edwards, Tim Hudson, Dexter Hudson, Kenneth Bradley and Don Hill.

Mrs. Edwards was born in Pitt County on July 23, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Coss Hudson and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Sutton Hudson. On Oct. 2, 1943, Mrs. Edwards married Edward Ray Edwards, who preceded her in death, March 30, 2017, after 73 years of marriage.

Miss Eleanor was employed by McLellan’s Stores in Washington as office manager/payroll clerk and, sometimes, assistant manager for 41 years. Upon retirement from McLellan’s, she worked with Lou Horton and Harper’s Dress Shop from 1990 until February 2000. Miss Eleanor enjoyed dressing up the ladies who frequented Harper’s.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Washington for approximately 73 years. During those years, she was actively involved in Sunday School and the Women’s Missionary Union.

Miss Eleanor was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #7 in Washington for 54 years. During her tenure in the chapter, she held various offices in OES #7. Among them were several terms as Worthy Matron. Eleanor and her husband, Edward Ray, traveled the state visiting other OES chapters as District representatives. They made many lifelong friends doing so.

Eleanor had a tremendous passion for her family — husband Ed Ray, son Stan and his wife Julie, grandsons Marc, Lance, and his wife, Sarah. She enjoyed cooking “family meals” for all of them and making “to-go” plates. Sunday lunch was her specialty. Ed Ray always said she had “the best restaurant in town.”

Miss Eleanor had an open door at her home. She would always welcome family members or friends in need, be it weddings, funerals, or just a place of respite for temporary stays.

Prior to Mr. Ed Ray’s death, Miss Eleanor cared for him until her health no longer permitted her to do so. She was a dedicated wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and grandmother-in-law.

Miss Eleanor is survived by her son, Stan Edwards and his wife, Julie, of Washington; grandsons, Marc Edwards of Washington, Lance Edwards and his wife, Sarah, of Asheville; special daughter, Phyllis Wade Trombley of Woodbridge, VA; niece, Shirley Williams Chandler of Chocowinity; and nephews, Dexter Hudson and Tim Hudson both of Grimesland.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Miss Eleanor was preceded in death by sisters Retha Hudson Williams, Esther Hudson Elks; brother Jay Bryant Hudson; and nephews Rodman Hudson and Ray Elks.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Health Care Givers — Danette, Shameka, Delores, Brittany, Alice and their manager, Barbara Williams. A tremendous debt of gratitude to Asera-Care of Greenville — Dee, Tammy, Star, Tasha, Patricia, Amanda Jones (Mgr.) and Social Worker Lindsay for their care and compassion for Miss Eleanor and Mr. Ed Ray prior to his passing on March 30, 2017.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Widow’s Mite Fund of the First Baptist Church, 113 N. Harvey St., Washington, N.C. 27889 or the Oxford Masonic Home for Children, 600 W. College St., Oxford, N.C. 27565.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Edwards family.