Elizabeth Mary Jane Bayles (Edwards) our loving mother, has sadly left this world to join loved ones that have gone before her.  Despite having humble beginnings being born in a tent on a logging camp, Mary Jane grew to live a full and vibrant life.  Her kind and loving heart caused everyone she came in contact with to smile and have a warm feeling in their heart.   But nothing could compare to her beautiful smile that was always present.  She found nothing but beauty and happiness in everything she encountered.  If it was pretty or pink, she found a way to collect it!  Mary Jane (or Nana) loved to build and collect porcelain dolls.  And between the creating of the dolls and collecting she had created a small army of tiny and angelic porcelain babies.  Holidays were her favorite time of year because that was yet another excuse to go overboard on the decorating and having her whole family gather to celebrate.  In her later life she loved to watch flowers and plants bloom that she could enjoy around the house and always commented on how pretty they were.  Mary Jane also developed a fascination with pine cones.  She could spot the perfect pine cones out of the thousands in the yard and insisted on collecting them all. This would probably be the only time you might consider she showed an “ornery” side, but she got her pine cones 😊.  She tried to have a positive influence over her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and everyone one else she came in contact with.  Her family and everyone she came into contact with are in a much better place from her having been a part of it.  I am sure she is now sharing all those stories with those she has missed for so long, as we miss her now.  Of all her positive attributes, nothing was more certain than the love and devotion she had for her husband Eddie (Papa) and all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Nana was always the brightest star in the sky.

The family of Mary Jane would like you to join in the celebration of her life.  Mary Jane passed away peacefully after a long illness with family members by her side.  Mary Jane lived her life to the fullest and found beauty in everything she saw or experienced.  She was preceded in her passing by her parents, Claude Lonnie Edwards and Alliev Marie Edwards, brother James Edwards and her husband, Eddie Glenn Bayles.  She is survived by her children, Cynthia Hart (Chuck), Tracy Bayles, Troy Bayles, and Tarona McNeely (Brad).  Also survived by her grandchildren Jennifer Myles, Edward Stevens (Cathy), Taylor Bayles, and Zoie Pearson. Additionally great grandchildren, Zachary Vaught, Alexis Earthman, Danielle Myles, Liam Stevens, Sophia Zamora and nieces Wanda Edwards, Vicki Kennedy, and nephew Lonnie Edwards.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe.  Interment will follow at Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. the day of service.

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