Alive in God’s eternal presence, Peggy Joyce Edmonson, 89, formerly of Centralia, passed away from the complications of Alzheimer’s disease on Monday, December 30, 2024, in the loving home of her great-granddaughter and care providers, Brittany (Nick) Pitts and family in Ramsey, Illinois with family by her side.
The daughter of Newt and Lula Mae (Tucker) Newborn, she was born on October 9, 1935, in Dyersburg, TN, moving to Centralia as a child, and graduating from Centralia High School. She married the love of her life, Jerry Dale Edmonson at Central City Baptist Church on December 30, 1956. Jerry passed away on January 1, 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Rebecca Hammond, a grandson Matthew Sprehe, and her brother Roy Newborn.
Peggy was the Credit Department Manager for Sears in Centralia for more than 25 years. Since childhood, until her health began to fail, as a faithful believing Christian, she was an active and devoted member of Central City Baptist Church and its ministries, including assisting those needy in the community, teaching and assisting in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, participating in and leading prayer groups and women’s Bible studies, and serving as youth group leader including being the driver and chaperone for retreats in North Carolina. She was an avid reader, particularly of Christian books, did crocheting and knitting, and especially enjoyed time with her family. Peggy always sought to reflect God’s unconditional love for her toward others in kindness, generosity, and humor.
She is survived by her children Belinda (Hugh) Fitz of Mascoutah, IL, Aaron (Rhonda) Edmonson, and Jennifer (David) Crabtree, and son-in-law Dennis Hammond of Centralia; by grandchildren, Angela (Chris) Wolfe, Jera Alcorn, Carrie Berry, Gregory Carpenter Jr, and Lori Yarbrough; Andy (Jennifer) Sprehe; Paul (Christine) Fitz; Joel Fitz; Jeremy (Gina) Sprehe, Alexandra (Robert) Morris, Andi (JT) Payne, Seth (Katie) Edmonson, Kelsey (Heather) Crabtree, Karissa Crabtree, Dalton Crabtree and Jessica Hammond; 41 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by a brother Earl Newborn, sister-in-law Jane Edmonson, and numerous nephews and nieces.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be at Central City Baptist Church, 304 S. Broadway, Centralia on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 12:00 pm with The Rev. Hugh Fitz officiating. Visitation precedes the service from 10:00 am until the time of worship at the church. Inurnment of cremains will be at Elmwood Cemetery at a later date.
Instead of floral tributes, Peggy’s family encourages memorial gifts to Centralia’s 6 Lemons group providing assistance and support to cancer patients and their families, the Centralia Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences and memories may be shared with her family at www.maczfuneralhomes.com or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
