On December 30th God said, “Carolyn, come home.” Carolyn
was born in West Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia on July 2,
1943. She was the seventh child born to John Rufus and Nellie
Manchester Wilson Edwards. She was a product of Portsmouth
Public Schools and graduated I. C. Norcom High in 1961. She
received a B. S. Degree in Sociology from St. Paul College in
Lawrenceville, Virginia in May 1966. Upon graduating from
college, Carolyn taught English and French in Abbey,
Saskatchewan, Canada. She later moved to New York City and
worked for the Department of Social Services for 33 years. She
retired in 1998 and returned to her hometown of Portsmouth,
Virginia. Carolyn came to know Jesus Christ as a child and was
baptized as a member of Maple Shade Baptist Church. She
attended church in both Queens and in Brooklyn, New York
and became a member of First Baptist Church West Norfolk in
1998. Carolyn was an active member of the Missionary
Ministry, Women’s Day Chairperson, Church School, noon
bible study, Hospitality Committee and served as a committee
member for the 125th Church Anniversary. She was willing to
serve in any way for kingdom building. Her community service
included volunteering at OASIS Ministry. Carolyn was caring
and loving. She enjoyed spending time with her family and
friends. She loved cooking, entertaining, playing games and
listening to music. Carolyn was preceded in death by her
parents and her sister Bernice; her brothers John, Roland,
Eddie, and Alvin, She leaves to cherish her memory: her
daughter Adrienne Johnson (Scott), Portsmouth, VA; her
granddaughter, Mila Johnson, Portsmouth, VA; her brother
James Edwards (India), Atlanta, Ga., her sisters, Marian Ash
(Willie), Portsmouth, VA., Nellie Edwards, Randolph, MA,
two sisters-in-law Clotilde Edwards (Roland), Providence, RI
and Katie Edwards (Eddie), Arlington, MA, and a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Viewing will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019, from noon to 8 pm
at Corprew Funeral Home, 1822 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23704.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019, 11 am First Baptist
Church West Norfolk, 3603 Jordan Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703.
Interment will be in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Portsmouth.
