Mary Julia Marshall

Mary Julia Edwards Marshall was born to the late Martin and Julia Mitchell Edwards on February 23, 1925 on Pine Street in Fort Valley, GA at the family home. Mary Julia, as she was affectionately called, was the third child of seven siblings, who all preceded her in death.

Mary Julia grew up in Fort Valley and graduated from H. A. Hunt High School. She went on to further her education at The Fort Valley Normal and Industrial School, which is the present, Fort Valley State University.

After completing her education, she moved to Chicago, IL to live with her oldest sister, Eloise. While there, she met and married the love of her life, Floyd Marshall, who preceded her in death. To this union, one daughter, Julia Karen Marshall was born, who also preceded her in death.

After several years in the big city, Mary Julia returned to Fort Valley and began a career of teaching in the Taylor County School System. She taught and nurtured all her students. To this day, many remember her with admiration and respect.

She began a second career at the family owned business, Edwards Funeral Home. She was a licensed funeral director and with her mother, were the first female attendants, at the then Edwards Funeral Home.

Mary Julia was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, Inc., and Trinity Baptist Church.

All that knew Mary Julia, Knew she had a strong love for her family and flowers. Any place she dwelled, there always flowers and plants.

She is survived by one sister-in-law: Mary (Claybon) Edwards. Nephews: Ronnie (Dita) Williams and Andrew (Thelma) Edwards. Nieces: Diane (Kenneth) Rutherford, Atlanta, GA, Cassandra Cotton, Cynthia Brown, Angela (Leonard) Jones, Arita Edwards, and Denise (Anthany) Small. Several great nephews, great nieces, cousins, and friends.