Debra Michelle Thompson Edwards

Meadowview, VA- Debra Michelle Thompson Edwards, age 36, formerly of Buchanan County, VA passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at her parents’ home. She was born to Eddie Blane Thompson and Mary Lester Thompson on October 21, 1977 in Richlands, VA. She was a 1995 graduate of Grundy Senior High School and received both her undergraduate degree and her Masters in Counseling from Radford University. Michelle taught for eleven years at Holston High School where she served as the Chair of the History Department, was active in the Homebound Education Program, taught GED courses, and formerly coached the Cheerleading Squad. She was a former member of Tookland Pentecostal Church in Grundy and locally attended Woodland Hills Christian Church. In addition to her parents, Michelle is survived by her husband, Toby Franklin Edwards; two children, Madeline Blayne Edwards and Mason Lane Edwards both of the home; sister, Melanie Thompson Russell and husband Paul of Meadowview, VA; maternal grandmother, Betty Lester of Abingdon, VA; mother-in-law, Margie Marie Edwards of Birchleaf, VA; aunt, Sally Lester Justus of Grundy, VA; nephew, Caleb Yarber of Meadowview, VA; niece, Jacquelynn Russell of Meadowview, VA; and special cousins, Cheryl Thornsbury and McKenzie Thornsbury both of Abingdon, VA. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 28th at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Viers and the Reverend Jerry Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens where Michael Blankenship, Danny Davis, Ryan Lester,Paul Russell Sr., McKenzie Thornsbury, Richard Williams, and Caleb Yarber will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Luther Bowman, Summer Looney Eller, Jennifer Street Hyatt, Shannon Lester, Ted Lester, Shannon O’Quinn, Tracy Vanover, and a host of extended family members and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Holston High School, 21308 Monroe Road, Damascus, VA 24236 or to Woodland Hills Christian Church, P.O. Box 288 Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the guestbook. The family of Debra Michelle Thompson Edwards is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.