Edith Merle Newman Diamond

Lovingly surrounded by her children and grandchildren, EdithMerle Newman Diamond passed peacefully away to be with the Lord andher heavenly family on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at MississippiBaptist Medical Center, Jackson, Miss. Services are 2 p.m. ThursdaySept. 27, 2007, at Brookhaven Funeral Home on North Jackson Street.Visitation is Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, from 5 until 9 p.m. Burialwill follow in Rosehill Cemetery, Brookhaven. Brookhaven FuneralHome is handling arrangements.

She was born Dec. 10, 1922. Mrs. Diamond, a resident of LincolnCounty, graduated from New Sight School. She married her husband,”Bill” Diamond and resided in Lincoln County her entire life. Shewas a lifelong and devoted member of First Baptist Church,Brookhaven, Miss. She was a faithful member of the Esther SundaySchool Class and W.M.U. She served over 16 years as Sunday Schoolteacher in the Nursery Department of her church. In earlier years,Mrs. Diamond owned the Dry Good Shop in Brookhaven and enjoyedsewing. She loved making quilts and afghans for all of her childrenand grandchildren. Her hobbies included gardening and lawn work,cooking and doting on her grandchildren.

Mrs. Diamond is survived by her son, Bobby and wife, Susan, ofBrookhaven, Miss.; and daughter, Gail Foster, of Brandon, Miss.;six grandchildren, Kristi Foster Wilson, of Brookhaven, Amy FosterBeard and her husband, Nick, of Omaha, Neb., Tommy Foster Jr.,Jennifer, Jessica and Julie Diamond, of Brookhaven; and fourgreat-grandchildren, Brandon, Ashley and Sarah-Alyson Wilson, andJackson Foster, all of Brookhaven. She is also survived by onesister, Helen Phillips, of Greensboro, Ala.; and brother, PaulNewman and wife, Ruth, of Pearl, Miss.; and loving sisters-in-law,Mrs. H.L. (Agnes) Newman Jr. and Mrs. James F. (Olivia) Newman, ofBrookhaven. She also leaves behind a host of loving nieces, nephewsand many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Claude Ray”Bill” Diamond; daughter, Beverly Ann; and son, Claude Ray Jr.; herparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Newman Sr.; her stepmother, AnnieLois Newman; her brothers, James Frances Newman and Henry NewmanJr.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made tothe Hederman Cancer Center at Baptist Medical Center, Jackson,Miss. or to Sam Varghese Ministries, c/o First Baptist Church,Brookhaven, Miss.