Actress Ronnie Claire Edwards, best known for her role as shopkeeper Corabeth Walton Godsey in classic TV series The Waltons, has died. She was 83.
A posting on Edwards' Facebook page read: "Our beautiful and extraordinary friend has peacefully made her final curtain call. Thank you all for your wonderful caring and support." The veteran actress passed away in her sleep.
Created by author Earl Hamner Jr, The Waltons told the story of a family in the US state of Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. It was based on Hamner's book Spencer's Mountain and its 1963 movie adaptation which starred Irish actress Maureen O'Hara.
Oklahoma City native Edwards played Corabeth in The Waltons from 1975 until the series ended in 1981, appearing in over 100 episodes and a number of spin-off made-for-TV movies. Her chemistry with Waltons co-star Joe Conley, who played husband Ike - addressed always by Corabeth as "Mr Godsey" - made for one of TV's most memorable partnerships. Conley passed away in July 2013 at the age of 85. He had been suffering from dementia.
Joe Conley as Ike and Ronnie Claire Edwards as Corabeth in The Waltons
Edwards' other credits included the series Dynasty, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Murder, She Wrote and the films 8 Seconds and The Dead Pool.
A published author, her works included the memoirs Mr. Godsey Asked Me to Marry Him and I Said: "Yes!": (Exit Sobbing) and The Knife Thrower's Assistant: Memoirs of a Human Target.
