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SEDLEY — Florence “Tobey” Livesay Edwards, 79, entered the church triumphant on March 3, 2020, at Magnolia Manor in Smithfield, Virginia, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Gene Edwards.

Tobey was born on Aug. 6, 1940, in Covington, Virginia, and spent her early childhood in the Covington and Hot Springs area, before moving to Franklin at the age of 12. She forever considered the mountains her home and returned often to visit her grandfather’s home place.

Tobey attended Franklin High School and DePaul School of Radiology. On graduating from college, she returned to Franklin and worked in the radiology department at Southampton Memorial Hospital. Following 26 years of service at SMH, Tobey transferred to Louise Obici Hospital, where she continued to work as a radiology technician for an additional 14 years. On Tobey’s retirement, she and Gene traveled to her beloved mountains on an annual basis, searching out her family roots.

Tobey was a member of Grace Memorial United Methodist Church in Sedley. For 40 years, she faithfully served in various capacities, including youth leader, Sunday school teacher, church historian and member of the Administrative Council and Reconstruction Building committees. Tobey will long be remembered for establishing the Neighborhood Welcome Committee, whereby she would deliver welcome bags that included information about the area and goodies such as peanuts, corn mill and mushrooms.

In addition to her husband, others left to cherish Tobey’s memory are her children, Ambra and Andy (Linda) Bridges of Lakeland, Florida; Michael (Robin) Edwards of Franklin; and Renee Edwards of Hertford, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Lindsey, John, Zachary and Joshua Bridges of Lakeland; Colby (Kiana Reid) Edwards of Franklin; Mandi (Michael) Ferguson of Manteo; and Ryan (Krystal) Vann of Franklin; three great-grandchildren, Max, Micah and Fleet; siblings, Michael (Sylvia) Livesay, Mary L. (Al) Hunter and Shelia L. Jackson; brother-in-law, Curt Simmons, many nieces and nephews; and her beloved four-legged companion, “Peppe.”

Tobey was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Mildred (McGuffin) Livesay; and sister, Becky L. Simmons.

The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the staff of The Garden at Magnolia Manor and to the Riverside Hospice team for the excellent care and heartfelt compassion given to Tobey while she was a resident.

The memorial service will be in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Renee Edwards and the Rev. Darwin Edwards will officiate.

A reception will follow at Grace Memorial United Methodist Church in Sedley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to either the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001; or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.