Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. The world lost one of a kind, Edith Murphy LeBlanc, on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012 in Biloxi, Miss.

Her very long full life was one of loving wife for almost 50 years, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was one of seven children born to the late Omer and Rosabelle Smith Murphy in Kempton, Ind. in 1921. Edith came to Louisiana in 1929 and resided in Franklinton for more 75 years and was preceded in death by her loving husband, Windham Joseph “Pops” LeBlanc in 1987. Edith’s siblings, Johnny, Robert, Charlie and Della Mae Parker and Rosemary Peters have all gone before her, leaving one sister living in Rhode Island, Willene Mederies. Pops and Edith raised four children in their homes on Bene Street in Franklinton: Barbara Ann LeBlanc (Ray) Taylor of Franklinton, Patricia LeBlanc (Derrill) Heurtin of St. Francisville, Windham Renoir LeBlanc (Kay Spencer LeBlanc) of Ponchatoula and Brannon Aumont LeBlanc (Wanda Gatlin LeBlanc) of Biloxi.

Edith recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a large family reunion in Slidell, with her children and many of her 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren present, ranging in ages from 54 to 1 1/2 years old. Edith’s love of her family was tantamount but shared her heart with the beauty of God’s plants and flowers. She surrounded herself with native plants and flowers by rooting, cultivating and growing gorgeous creations many times from just a simple cutting. The phrase “green thumb” was surely an appropriate name for this Irish beauty.

Edith’s body was laid to rest by Crain Funeral Home next to her late husband on Tuesday, Aug. 14, after a funeral service at First Baptist Church on Main Street in Franklinton. Visitation was held at the church from noon until 2 p.m., with the funeral service conducted by Rev. Paul Watts. Burial followed at Ellis Cemetery in Franklinton.

Friends and family were encouraged to attend and relate their favorite story of Edith. Edith loved to put on her makeup, jewelry and finest clothes even at the end of her days as a resident of the Emeritus Assisted Living of Biloxi and surely would have enjoyed seeing her family and friends all dressed up in her honor and memory.

During a lengthy illness, it is the care and support of special people that make a loved one’s life dignified and their passing bearable for their family. Special thanks to the ICU staff of Biloxi Regional Medical Center and the caring and devoted staff of Saad Health Care of D’Iberville, Miss., including Dorothy Dunning, administrator, nurses Rose Sliman and Joanne Lizanna and CNA Joanne Crenshaw. These devoted professionals made her last days on earth pain free and dignified. May God Bless You All!