Ruth E. Edwards, 78, of 4481 Deer Path Road, Suffolk, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at her residence. She was a native of Suffolk and the daughter of the late Linous Gatling and Alice Cross Gatling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Edwards; sisters and brothers, Jessie Gatling, Margaret Morings, Fred Gatling and Murry Gatling Sr.

She was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, where she was a former member of the Pastor’s Aid, Missionary Ministry and Sunday School teacher. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star No. 162, Nansemond and Isle of Wight Sunday School Union Missionary Consultant and a Zeta Amicae member.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Wendy Edwards Bullock, of Chesterfield; five sisters, Alice Morings, of Suffolk, Gladys Benton, of Suffolk, Irene Gatling, of Seattle, Wash., Mary Edith Johnson (Javan) and Luella Fitzgugh, of Elizabeth, N.J.; one brother, Grafton Gatling, of Suffolk; two grandchildren, Kirstie Abernathy (Troy) and Jasmine Bullock; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Tabernacle Christian Church. Interment will be in Piney Grove Baptist Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, May 23, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Crocker Funeral Home. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.