Raylene Edwards

Raylene Edwards, 92, of East Lynne, MO, passed away on December 7, 2023. She was born on November 30, 1931, to Zoren and Loretta (Phillips) Rogers in Kansas City, MO. Raylene’s early years were spent in southern Missouri, near Seneca, where her maternal grandparents lived. Raylene moved with her family to Kansas City before she started high school and graduated from Manuel High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, an accomplishment of which she was very proud. 

After graduating high school, she attended nursing school and, while working at the hospital, she met and fell in love with a patient, Robert (Bob) Edwards. They were married on February 12, 1951. They settled in East Lynne, MO, in 1957 and raised their three children. Raylene was the fourth generation of her maternal family to reside in East Lynne. Raylene worked at AT&T and retired in 1987. 

Raylene was an energetic woman who thrived on staying active, filling her time with various hobbies and interests. She loved writing little poems for and about her friends and family. She enjoyed knitting and made many sweaters and afghans. Following her retirement, she ventured into the world of quilting, leaving behind a legacy of heartwarming memories for her dear ones. Her affection for 'blooming weeds' (flowers) was evident, as she always kept a shovel in her car trunk, ready to unearth a wild treasure when the opportunity arose.

Raylene was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Edwards, her daughter Loretta Jane Edwards Rushly, great-granddaughter Audrey May Rushly, and great-grandson Tristan Ray Rushly. 

She leaves behind her daughter Patricia (Ed) Spooner and son Frank Edwards. Raylene will also be missed by her grandchildren Ray, Mahlon, Chris, Jon, Ben and Levi Rushly, Michael Timme, Melissa Timme Christensen, and Robert Kyle Edwards, along with their spouses and significant others. She also leaves numerous great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and long-time friends

Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with internment at Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2023 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.