Mary Edna "Bumby" Richardson

Amory – Mary Edna “Bumby” Ownby Richardson, 95, passed away from her earthly home into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at NMMC, Tupelo. Born May 13, 1921, in Avery County, NC, she was a daughter of the late Finley P. and Lillie Buena Stamey Dellinger. They died when she was a teenager.

Edna married her first husband, Ernest Ownby, when she was 18 years old. He was employed by the Bureau of Public Roads. Moving to Indian Head, Maryland, she worked as a Nurse’s Aide at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC. Six years later, they moved to Florence, AL, and from there they moved to Collinwood, TN, and in 1953, they moved to Tupelo. They were very active in Beech Springs Free Will Baptist Church for many years until he was ordained into the ministry and took a pastoral position at Eggville Free Will Baptist Church. After 7 years of ministry at Eggville, they moved back to North Carolina, where Ernest pastored several churches.

Edna was a very devout Christian and worked diligently in the church. In 1967, her husband passed away and she moved back to Tupelo to be near her daughter and grandchildren. In 1971, she married O’Neal Richardson, who was employed by E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, and they moved to Amory. A very loving and giving lady, Edna had a great compassion for children and the elderly, always doing special favors for them. Generous, graceful and possessing a big heart, she would give her last penny to someone in need. If you came to her home, you would never leave empty handed. One who was bold, she would speak what was on her mind. Edna would always feed her visitors or at least give them something to take home with them. Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at 1 PM, Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, with Bro. Terry Pierce and Student Pastor Brandon Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Beech Springs Cemetery, Saltillo. Pallbearers will be Brandon Harris, Wes Cowell, Luke Huddleston, Melvin Junkin, Mark Huddleston and Dustin Tutor.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Monday, October 17 at the funeral home.

She leaves behind one daughter, Peggy Sullivan (Jimmy) of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Randy Harris (Patsy), Vicky Junkin (Melvin) and Angela Huddleston (Mark); six great-grandchildren, Brandon Harris (Theresa), Brittany Tutor (Dustin), Misty Cowell, Wes Cowell (Beth), Luke Huddleston, Karli Huddleston; several great-great-grandchildren; a special sister-in-law, Frankie; special nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Betty Ashton.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Ernest Ownby and O’Neal Richardson; one son, Kenneth Ownby; two brothers, Gilbert and James Dellinger; two sisters, Elvie Vance and Hazel Haney.

Memorials may be given to Eldridge Children’s Home, PO Box 8, Eldridge, AL 35554.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.