Iona D. Edwards

Iona D. Edwards, age 88, passed away Monday, August 27, 2018 at her home in Lakeland. Born January 16, 1930 in Bainbridge, GA, she was the daughter of the late M.J. and Bessie (Palmer) Dollar. In 1974, Mrs. Edwards cofounded Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge in Bartow alongside her late husband Joe Thomas Edwards Jr. Following his passing in 1999, she served as President for 17 years. During the 1980’s she was the proud owner and operator of Iona's Hair Fashions Salon in Lakeland. Mrs. Edwards loved children and during the 1960’s and 70’s she was a 3rd and 4th grade Sunday School teacher/director at Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa. Mrs. Edwards has been a long time member of Church at the Mall in Lakeland. She is survived by a loving family that includes her four children: Robin Brown (Thomas) of Plant City, Randy Edwards (Ann) of Lakeland, Stephen Edwards (Patricia) of Davenport, and Janet Young (Philip) of Winter Park. She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren, and eighteen great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 31st from 6pm to 8pm at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, September 1st at 2:00pm at the Church at the Mall, 1010 East Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland. Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Tampa.