Mother Eddie Mae Graper of 213 West 25th Avenue, Cordele, Georgia, died Friday, August 8, 2025, at the residence of her son and daughter-in-law.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Mother Eddie Mae Barner Maddox Graper, a cherished jewel of faith and community spirit, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025. Born on May 8, 1930, in Crisp County, Georgia, she was the beloved daughter of the late Mr. Eddie B. Barner and Mrs. Dora Corbin Barner. She was a woman whose life was a testament to dedication, love, and resilience.

She received her formal education from the Crisp County School System, where she attended the esteemed Gillespie-Selden Institute. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life; she was a devoted member of the Beulahland Baptist Church for 50 years, where her voice graced the choir. Later, she continued her spiritual journey with the Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Oakfield, Georgia, where she was embraced by a loving church family.

"Miss Ed", as she was affectionately called by many, was  well-known in her community for her industrious spirit, having operated a laundromat for many years. Her commitment to serving others and her joyful presence were felt by all who knew her. Beyond her professional endeavors, she had a passion for fishing, finding peace and joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Henry David Graper, her parents, her daughter Ms. Angela Gary, and her siblings Ms. Odell Barner and Mr. James Barner, she leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. Her memory will be cherished by her children: Deacon James Maddox (Dr. Elizabeth) of Cordele, Georgia; Mr. Colton Maddox (Brandy) of Conyers, Georgia; Ms. Myra Maddox of Mount Vernon, New York; Mr. Henry D. Graper, Jr. (Cynthia), Dr. LaZoria Brown (George), and Mr. Cornelius Graper (Bessie), all of Albany, Georgia; and Mrs. Ella Vera Murphy (Delford) of Marietta, Georgia; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a special niece, Mrs. Geraldine Pickens; her Greater Friendship Baptist Church family; her 4th and 5th Avenue friends; her caregivers, Ms. Barbara Freeman and Mrs. Ada Little; and a wide circle of friends and relatives who were touched by her warmth and kindness.