NATCHEZ — Edna Evon Ashley, 78, of Natchez, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at her residence after a lengthy, hard fought battle with a number of illnesses, and with her children at her side.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Fort officiating.

Burial will follow at Hopewell Memorial Cemetery in Wilkinson County under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mrs. Ashley was born Nov. 25, 1932, in Wilkinson County, the daughter of Delos Floyd and Leona Floyd. She was a member of Pioneer Baptist Church. She enjoyed the simple things in life, but especially spending time with her two children. She also enjoyed ceramics and attending the Big River Jamboree each month. She was a wonderful mother and devoted wife. She enjoyed visiting with anyone and saw only the good in others. She was her family’s heart and will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William Norris Ashley.

Survivors include one daughter, Sheila Evon Ashley and one son, William Norris Ashley Jr., both of Natchez.

Pallbearers will be Timothy Ashley, Cage Ashley, Doug Wimberly, Walter Pygott, James Green and Ivan Ray Thornton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Eugene Metcalf, Kenneth Nettles and Harper Simmons.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.