Vernelle Sparrow Edwards, April 8, 1937 – March 3, 2024, the day God started watching over this sparrow and the day she flew home. The dash in between is a beautiful Christian love story.

Funeral Services will be conducted Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 6pm at Bethel FWB Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Entombment will be Thursday, March 7th at 11am at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Vernelle was born in Kinston to Johnnie and Lillian Whitley Sparrow on April 8, 1937. She was a faithful member of Bethel FWB Church for over 50 years. When she was just 16 years old, she met the man who stole her heart and would become her future husband. Vernelle and Kenneth were married for 70 years and made many memories while raising their two daughters. During her working career she was employed by Sears for 31 years and worked in their Kinston and Greenville locations. Vernelle bravely fought cancer with the graciousness of God’s servant for 2 ½ years.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth, she is also survived by her daughters, Allyson Hudson (Durwood) and Bonnie Gaddy (Chris); grandsons, Brad Koonce (Wendy), Kent Edwards (Amanda), Matt Edwards (Savannah); great grandsons, Braydon Edwards, Hudson Edwards, Easton Edwards, Paxton Edwards, and Bryson Koonce; sister, Grace Dail; sister-in-law, Janet Sparrow. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Virginia S. Toth; brothers, Donnie Sparrow and Billy Sparrow; mother-in-law, Lillian Taylor; brothers-in-law, Roy Dail and Stephen Toth, Sr.; sister-in-law, Lou Sparrow; great-nephew, Robbie Dail; special nephew, Ronnie Walker.

Special care was given by her loving husband, Kenneth, her daughters Allyson and Bonnie, and their husbands, Durwood Hudson and Chris Gaddy; her health care providers, Kathy and Amy with 3HC Kinston, and Laura and Tami with 3HC Pollocksville.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her church family who were so good to her, her Life Group, and Teacher, Greg Fordham and Pastors, Chris Truett and Bert Potter, Dr. John Cho Oncologist, Carolina East Oncology New Bern, Dr. Teigha Randolph Vidant Medical Center Kinston, and Dr. Robert Gallaher Pulmonology of Kinston.

The family would also like to thank all who have sent cards of encouragement, for all who gave prayers, food, visits, and other acts of kindness shown during this time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Christian Academy, 1936 Banks School Road, Kinston, NC 28504 or to SECU Comprehensive Cancer Center at Carolina East Medical Center, 1300 Health Drive, New Bern, NC 28560

God Bless you all, Vernelle S. Edwards

Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com