Our Staff

Staff members of Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors.

Spencer Hedgepeth - President 


Spencer is a native of New Madrid, Missouri, and graduated with the class of 1991. He then began his collegiate years obtaining a degree from Central Methodist College and an MBA from Southeast Missouri State University. In 2001 Spencer received a degree from John A. Gupton College, majoring in Mortuary Science. He is a fully licensed funeral professional.

Spencer is a third generation funeral director, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Leo Hedgepeth, and his father, Bob Hedgepeth. His mother is Lillian Hedgepeth, a retired schoolteacher of New Madrid County.

Spencer enjoys being on Current River, canoeing and attending concerts.

Mike Jackson - Secretary-Treasurer

Mike is a 1987 graduate of Doniphan High School and has worked at Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., since his graduation. He graduated from Williams Baptist College with a Business Administration degree in 1992 and then received a diploma in Mortuary Science from Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1993. He is a fully licensed funeral professional.

In addition to being a funeral director/embalmer Mike is also the Coroner of Ripley County and has held that position since 2000.

Mike has four children: Courtnee and her husband Jason Jordan, Cory and his wife, Taylor, Addison, and MacKay; and six grandchildren, Roman, Andie Grace, Piper, Huxley, Beckham, and Holyn.

When not at the funeral home, Mike can be found lifting weights.





Suzanne Johnson - Office Secretary 

Suzanne is a retired schoolteacher with the Naylor R-2 District and began her second career as a secretary at Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., in May, 2019. 


Suzanne is married to Doug Johnson and is a mother of two, daughter Ashley Van Es and son Caleb and his wife Rachel. She has one grandson, Reed.




Irvin Eddington - Funeral Assistant

Irvin Eddington began employment with Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., in the spring of 2013. He retired in 2003 from Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company after 30 years of employment.

Irvin has been married to Irene for 47 years and they have five children: Eddie (and Chrissy) Wilson, Carolyn (and Walter) Lindley, Cindy (and Donnie) Duffey, Irvin Eddington, Jr. and Brad (and Jessica) Eddington; and 11 grandchildren, Jonathan Wilson, Jessica Wilson, Mandy Lindsey, Tanya Jackson, Natalie Monahan, Leslie Brasser, Chloe Eddington, Emmlynn Eddington, Paige Eddington, Jake Eddington and Madison Eddington; and  great-grandchildren, Maddox, Presley, Cord, Case, Jackson, Blake, Bentley, Landon, Ava Rose, and Piper Kate.

Irvin enjoys squirrel hunting, deer hunting and being with his family.


Chad Haywood- Funeral Assistant


Chad has been with the Edwards Funeral Home, Inc. since April, 2014.  He is a First Responder working with many of the local volunteer fire departments.

He is married to Shalane, and they have five children: Isiaha, Cadance, Braden, Kaylie, and Zane.

Chad enjoys hunting, fishing, and fighting fires.