Gleta Mae (Jones) Edwards, age 82, of Okeechobee, FL (formerly of Lawrenceville, IL) passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at her home.
Gleta Mae (Jones) Edwards, age 82, of Okeechobee, FL (formerly of Lawrenceville, IL) passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at her home. She was born on December 13, 1943 in Lawrenceville, IL, the daughter of Luther “Boots” & Iona (Howe) Jones. She married Wayne Edwards on August 6, 2000, and he survives.
Gleta devoted the majority of her life to raising her five children, a role she cherished above all others. As her family grew, she found immense pride and joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were among her greatest blessings. Throughout her life, Gleta held a variety of occupations, retiring after many years as a storage facility manager. Her career afforded her the opportunity to live in several different communities, where she formed lasting friendships and created many treasured memories. Following her retirement, she relocated to Florida, where she became an active member of her church family and faithfully attended Northside Baptist Church in Okeechobee. Her unwavering faith and love for family were the foundation of a life well lived.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Luther & Iona Jones; three brothers, Jr. Jones, Don Jones, and John Paul Jones; one sister, Dixie Jones Sharum; two grandsons, Chace Jarvis and Wyatt Laakman.
Survivors include her children, David Jarvis of Lawrenceville, Illinois; Tony Jarvis of Evansville, Indiana, Ray Jarvis of Canton, Ohio, Cindy (Dan) Cummins of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Kimberly (Virgil) Briggs of Chester, Illinois, Misty Bowman of Lawrenceville, Illinois; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Doris Sarver of Danville, Illinois.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM CST. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
