Erma Kay Edwards

Erma Kay Edwards, age 85, of Liberty, Missouri passed away at home on August 4, 2023. A visitation for Erma Kay will be held on Saturday, August 19 at 10 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 300 East Kansas Street, Liberty, Missouri. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., also at Second Baptist Church. Burial will take place at New Hope Cemetery, Liberty, Missouri, at the conclusion of the funeral service.

Erma Kay was born in Trimble, Missouri on August 3, 1938 to Zora Pearl (Winn) Ferguson and Clifford R. Ferguson. She was raised on her parents’ sheep farm in Plattsburg, where she fostered a love of animals. Erma Kay attended the local Plattsburg schools, where she played clarinet and graduated from Plattsburg High School. She then attended Business College, where she earned certificate of completion. For a year she worked as a secretary at Kiger Company, a jewelry company. She was able to design her wedding ring with them, and once she left their employ, she became a housewife and a farmer alongside her husband.

On March 1, 1959, Erma Kay married the love of her life, James “Jim” Freel Edwards. They lived and farmed in Orrick, Missouri, their entire lives. They were proud stewards of the land, growing and selling certified seed. They eventually became Certified Organic by two different standards, once in the late 90s and again in the early 2000s. They also raised cattle, sold milk, fed their family, and bred purebred Simmentals on their farm.

They were even prouder of their three children, Tammy, Sherry Jo, and Ron. While the kids were little, Kay was a member of the local church choir, performing solos during many Easter and Christmas celebrations, and taught Vacation Bible School. After their kids were grown, Jim and Kay retired from farming and moved to Liberty, Missouri to help Kay’s mother. In Liberty, Kay and Jim were members of Second Baptist Church, where Kay became involved in the women’s ministry, WMU, where she held office. Sadly, Jim passed away on March 5, 2020, breaking Kay’s heart.

Erma Kay loved many things, such as cooking, sewing, and gardening. A lifelong farmer, Kay always had a green thumb: she enjoyed cultivating star gazer lilies, gladiolas, climber roses, marigolds, and many, many other plants and flowers. Together, Jim and Kay loved growing sweet corn and sold it alongside tomatoes and green beans. They also planted a variety of vegetables to feed their family.

Erma Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Zora; her brother, Herschel; and her loving husband, Jim.

Erma Kay is survived by her children, Tammy (Terry) Sharp, Sherry Jo Edwards, and Ron Edwards; her grandchildren, Matt (Jenny) Sharp, Melissa Sharp, Keely Edwards, and Colin Edwards; and her great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Busby-Sharp, Maddyson Sharp, and Allyson Thomas.

To leave fond memories of Erma Kay, or condolences for her family, please visit ChurchArcherPasley.com, as arrangements are under the direction of Church Archer Pasley Funeral Home, 816-781-2000.