Edna Earle Stanton Willoughby, 79, of Nichols, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at McLeod Seacoast Hospital with her family by her side. She was born in Mullins, South Carolina on October 22, 1946, the daughter of the late Dewey B. Stanton, Sr. and the late Mary V. Stanton.

Edna was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and lived her life as a reflection of her Christian faith.  She served in various ministries in her church and especially enjoyed serving as a volunteer in the children's ministry.

Edna worked for many years as a substitute teacher in the Horry County School District. She was also a member of the Friends of the Green Sea Floyds Library, where she helped to promote reading and learning in the community. She will be greatly missed, but because of the life she lived, we know we will see her again in God's eternal kingdom.

In addition to her parents, Edna was predeceased by her husband, John B. Willoughby, Jr., a son, John Anthony Willoughby, brothers, Dewey, Richard, and Douglas Stanton, and sisters, Jeanette Amspacher, Bobbie Jean Huggins, Barbara Uber, Carolyn Stanton, and Margaret Stanton.

Edna is survived by her loving daughters, Kimberly W. Fail (Matt) of Wilmington and Amy Willoughby of Durham, North Carolina; five grandchildren, John, Carmen, Miranda, Kaitlyn, and Brandon Willoughby; daughter-in-law, Patricia Willoughby of Cary, N.C.; a brother, James Stanton (Pat) of Jacksonville, N.C.; a sister, Rosemary Buffkin of Mullins; the mother of Brandon and Kaitlyn, Hui Feng of Cary, N.C.; sister-in-law, Raymonda W. Smith of Mullins, and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the sanctuary of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Nichols. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday in the sanctuary with Reverend Hunter Johnson officiating. The family will lay her to rest at Red Hill Memorial Gardens in Mullins.

If you would like to remember Edna, donations may be made in her memory to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1950 Mt. Olive Church Road, Nichols, South Carolina 29581.

An online guestbook is available at www.mearesfh.com.

Meares Funeral Home has been given the honor of serving the Willoughby family.