Lona Kay (Saunders) Edwards was born November 8, 1942 in Sulphur to the late Charles & Ettner (Duncan) Saunders. She died Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Dougherty, at the age of 75 years, 5 months and 6 days.

Lona and Billy Joe Edwards were married on May 28, 1960 in Dougherty. He preceded her in death on May 25, 2002.

Lona grew up in Dougherty where she graduated from Dougherty High School in 1960. Much of her earlier years of marriage was spent as a stay at home mother, caring for her family. In the mid 1980’s Lona attended school and received LPN licensing. From 1988 until 2004, she worked as a senior LPN at the Sulphur Veterans Center. She later spent nine years working for the Goddard Youth Camp. After retiring, Lona found herself being bored and decided to work as a Foster Grandparent for the Davis Elementary School. In her spare time, she could be found sitting on the bank of the Washita River, patiently waiting to reel in her next big catch. Her other hobbies included working puzzle books, playing hand held video games, watching cooking shows on television or sitting in her front porch swing “patrolling” the neighborhood. Although Lona was small in stature, she had the heart of a giant. She ruled with an iron fist, but always in a loving way.

Survivors include one son, Joe Edwards of Dougherty; three grandsons, Jeff Burleson & wife Amy of Dougherty; Andrew Edwards of Dougherty and Brad Burleson & wife Randi of Sulphur; five great-grandchildren, Logan & Kelsey Burleson and Johnathon, Hunter & Aiden Burleson; three sisters, Mildred Allen of Sulphur, Mary White of Arkansas and Linda Spears of Lexington; as well as her special little friend, Paisley.

In addition to her parents and husband, Lona was preceded in death by one son, Charles Ryan “Chuck” Edwards; four sisters, Irene West, Patsy Jo Garland, Jeannie Clelland and Betty Wilson; as well as her five brothers, Bo, Orval, Creed, Harvey and John Saunders.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the Dougherty Baptist Church with Pastor Willard McCartney, Jr officiating. Interment will follow at the Dougherty Cemetery.