Rita Mae Edwards, age 79, of Madison, Indiana, and the daughter of the late Albert and Edna (Witten) McCrady, was born on March 5, 1947, in Scott County, Indiana. She grew up in the Scottsburg and Lexington, Indiana area and attended Scottsburg High School. On September 26, 1986, Rita was united in marriage to George Edwards and they were blessed with four children: Steve, Richie, Tracy, and David. For 32 years, she was a dedicated assembler at Grote Industries, Inc. in Madison. 

Rita cherished the quiet start of each day, gently swinging on her back porch with a warm cup of coffee in hand, watching the birds gather around her feeder. In her spare time, she enjoyed crafting, working out and attending Silver Sneakers classes, cooking, baking, hosting family gatherings, and tending to her flower garden. Rita loved going on shopping excursions and was a member of the Bunco club for over 30 years. One of the things she enjoyed most was her yearly trip to Shipshewana with her friends. Rita was a gentle soul, who was a friend to everyone and was dearly loved by all who knew her. Mrs. Edwards passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Her life will be cherished by her loving husband of almost 40 years, George of Madison; her children: Steve Edwards of Madison, Richie Moore (Marcia) of Charlestown, Indiana, Tracy Dawn Hammond (Shawn) of Madison; and David Riley (Sharon) of Madison; her grandchildren: George Steven, Maegan, Ryan, Taylor, Conner, Austin, Justin, Rachel, Jason, Devon, and Schuylar; her great grandchildren: George Steven III "Trey" and Zoey Grace; her sister: Doris Smith of Austin; and her brother: James Larry McCrady of Austin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers: Wayne McCrady and Alfred McCrady; and her sister: Mary Ritchison.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Friday, May 8, 2026 at Welty Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Lytle Chapel, 117 Holt Drive, Madison with interment to follow in Zoah Christian Church Cemetery in Scottsburg, Indiana. Friends and family may visit at the Welty Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Lytle Chapel from 11:00 AM until the time of the service on Friday. 

The family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Contributions may be made at the Welty Family Funeral Home, Lytle Chapel or below.