Shona Marie Edwards, 53, of Witt, died on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at her home surrounded by loves ones, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 27, beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff VanDyke officiating. Burial will follow at St. Barbara’s Cemetery in Witt.
Mrs. Edwards was born Dec. 10, 1968, in Hillsboro, to Roger and Gail (Hakala) Cole. She was the oldest sibling to Chris and Shane, and they were raised in Nokomis, spending many summers in Rutland, MA.
She graduated from Nokomis High School with the class of 1987. After graduating from NHS, she attended The International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Chicago, followed by LLCC, and then completed her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Mrs. Edwards worked as the Early Childhood Program Director at North Elementary School in Nokomis for 11-and-a-half years while completing her professional educator’s license with an endorsement in social studies. Following her calling, she received an associate of science degree in nursing and passed her state boards to become a registered nurse. She worked in the emergency department at Taylorville Memorial Hospital before starting her career as a corrections nurse at Graham Correctional Facility in Hillsboro in 2018.
She and her husband, Russell “Kenny” Edwards began their life together in 1992 and were married on Feb. 14, 1998, in Nokomis, and he survives.
Mrs. Edwards’ greatest joy in life was being a mother and grandmother. She enjoyed riding her motorcycle, being outdoors and spending her time poolside with her family. She loved celebrating holidays surrounded by her children and grandchildren, and looked forward to the snow each winter would bring.
She was active in the community and often raised money through her beloved paint parties for many different charities and community organizations around the Montgomery County and Christian County areas. She helped organize the Shane Cole Memorial Fund in honor of her brother, which has included popular fundraisers such as the Shane Cole Memorial Poker Run, which funds the Keep Kids Warm Coat Drive, a community park and scholarships for Nokomis High School graduates.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Edwards is survived by her parents; sons, Hayden Glenn (Hannah Atwood) Edwards, Kenneth Michael (Brittney Chamberlain) Edwards and Eric Russell (Stephanie) Edwards; five grandchildren, Leah, Madeleine, Calvin, Crosby and Ahnna; brother, Chris (Kristy) Cole; nephews, Carson and Wyatt Cole; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Shane Cole.
Memorials may be directed to the Montgomery County Cancer Association or the Shona Edwards Memorial Fund for Community Outreach. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.stiehldawsonfh.com.
