Nina Ruth Edwards, ninety years in age, passed from this life on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Her life mission here is over, but her eternal journey has begun.

Nina was born on November 19, 1933, in Porum, OK to Ralph and Ruth Smith. Nina worked hard as a farmer's daughter, chopping cotton, attending to the sheep, chickens, pigs and milking cows. She lived a very simple life that included spending a lot of time with her grandparents, aunts and uncles who spoiled her since she was the only grandchild for seven years.

Nina attended Porum High School where she was friends with Cotton. Shortly after graduation she moved to Oklahoma City and worked for the telephone company as a long-distance operator. When Cotton returned home from the Korean War, their love for each other blossomed and on May 29, 1956, Nina married the love of her life, Charles "Cotton" Edwards.

Family was always important and as it grew, many hours were spent making the home a special place, clothes sewn, and meals prepared. As the family continued to expand, Sunday meals after church were available to all who could attend. Nina enjoyed entertaining and church friends were often invited to her home. Lasagna and Italian chicken along with chocolate cake were staples. Her grandchildren especially liked her cinnamon rolls.

Although Nina attended church most of her life, her decision to make Jesus Christ her Savior came as an adult. While a member of Western Hills Baptist Church in OKC, Nina discovered her love for preschoolers and their families. The importance of teaching preschoolers became a lifelong passion. Nina served as a Preschool Coordinator at Western Hills where her passion for teaching was noticed and eventually, she served with the Oklahoma Southern Baptist Convention traveling to churches around the state, sharing her knowledge and passion for teaching children about God.

After moving to Mustang in 1972, Cotton and Nina joined Chisholm Heights Baptist Church and Nina served as the Preschool Coordinator for 22 years. As a mother, Nina instilled her love for preschoolers to know about God within her children and they followed her example and became teachers as well.

Nina was a busy lady; she would often work Fridays and Saturdays for Gilt Edge Farms advertising their products in grocery stores across the greater Oklahoma City Area.

The past few years as her memory faded, meals were no longer planned and served, shopping with her girls at fabric, gift and home decorating stores no longer took place, but her family was still important when she could remember. After 68 years of marriage, Cotton stayed by her side willingly and lovingly assuming the task of caregiver for his wife.

She will be greatly missed by many, but who can deny her a healthy whole body and mind in the presence of her Jesus?! It's time to celebrate!

Nina was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Ruth Smith. She is survived by her loving husband, Cotton; and children, Pam (Scott) Ferguson of Olathe, KS, Connie (Kenny) Ferguson of Yukon, OK and Tim (Jana) Edwards of Mustang, OK. Nina adored her grandchildren, Byron (Courtney) Ferguson, Hayley (Logan) Weast, Jessica (Cody) Wise, Adam (Tracy) Edwards, Jayme (Richard) Bullock, Matthew (Shara) McGuire, and Abby Edwards; and her great-grandchildren, Lydia Weast, Lauryl Weast, Levi Weast, Keeley Ferguson, Elke Ferguson, Gracyn Wise, Allison Wise, Lauren Wise, Cayden Wise, Ethan Wise, and Cheyenne Mills. She also had a wonderful relationship with

her brother, Jerry (Nancy) Smith of Muskogee, OK.

The family extends a special "Thank You" to Johna Paul and the team at Legacy Family Hospice and to the doctors, nurses and aides at Spanish Cove Long Term Care for the loving care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nina's memory can be made to Chisholm Heights Baptist Church Preschool Ministry, 2243 W. State Highway 152, Mustang, OK  73064.