Mary Ellen Whitehead Edwards, 97, of Pensacola, FL passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Mary Ellen was born August 10, 1920 in DeFuniak Springs, FL to Jessie L. Whitehead and Polly Jones Whitehead, the oldest of five children. She graduated from Walton County High School and moved to Pensacola in 1938 to work for Gulf Power Company. In 1940 she was chosen as "Miss Pensacola" and represented Pensacola in the Miss Florida Pageant in Palatka, FL. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Florida Chapter 9, being Worthy Matron in 1954. Mary Ellen was an active member of First Baptist Church, Pensacola for 80 years serving over the years in the Children's Department, Vacation Bible School, the Baptismal Committee, and the Kitchen Committee. In 1988 she retired from the State of Florida after 18 years. For many years, she was active in the Pensacola Camellia Club. Mary Ellen's proudest accomplishment was her family - her long marriage, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her family of faith. She was blessed with a great memory for people's names, birthdays, and special events. When she met you, she made it a point to learn something about you. Mary Ellen loved people and had a way of making you feel special.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, John Kahl Edwards, Jr.; her parents; an infant son, John Kahl Edwards, III and a sister, Margaret W. McBride.

Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Kahl Edwards (Pat), Ellen E. Milo (Mick), Mary Kaye E. Bell (Scott), and John Edwards (Susan); her 7 grandchildren, Stephanie M. Thomas (Michael), Michael Milo (fiancé, Christie), Lindsey B. DeLaMare (Tommy), Jeff Bell (Erika), Christopher Edwards, Zachary Edwards, Elizabeth E. Smith (Harrison); her 5 great-grandchildren, Emerson, Everett, and Sawyer DeLaMare, Laurel and Grant Thomas, and baby Bell (due in September); her siblings, Devon Whitehead (Pauline), Johnnie W. Strawbridge, and Bill Whitehead; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held 9:30am until a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00am Saturday, July 14, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL, with Dr. Barry Howard officiating. Private Family Graveside will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Music Ministry or First Baptist Church Project 2020.

The family wants to extend special thanks to the staff, nurses, and aids at Summer Vista and Covenant Inpatient Hospice Center at Sacred Heart Hospital.