Mary C. Edmonds

On Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, Mrs. Mary Catherine Edmonds, formerly of Church Road, Va., went home to be with her Lord and Savior. In her final days, she could be heard constantly singing his praises and reciting the 23rd Psalm.

Mrs. Edmonds, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister, was born on May 5, 1933, to the late William and Elizabeth Newsome of Chesterfield, Va. It was in Chesterfield, Va., where she grew up and attended the public school system.

After earning her high school diploma, Mrs. Edmonds met Thomas A. Edmonds Sr. with whom she later joined in holy matrimony on July 15, 1952. Shortly thereafter, the two briefly relocated to Amarillo, Texas, where Mr. Edmonds was stationed while serving in the United States Air Force. In 1953, they returned to Central Virginia and settled down in Dinwiddie where they made a home with their three children.

Mrs. Edmonds worked in the Dinwiddie County Public School System for close to 19 years until her retirement in 1993. During this time, she accumulated an abundance of joyful memories while working with the faculty, administrators, and students of Northside Elementary and Dinwiddie Middle schools.

At the time of her passing, she was a member of Springfield Baptist Church in Sutherland, Va., where she served as a deaconess for over 20 years and missionary secretary for nine years. She was also active in Vacation Bible School, Christmas plays, and other activities and events.

As the matriarch of her family, Mrs. Edmonds enjoyed spending time with relatives. She also enjoyed talking on the phone with friends and staying current on local and national news events. Her immediate family members often referred to her affectionately as "Scoop" because she always had the scoop on what was happening.

Mrs. Edmonds was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, June Edmonds Parham; and eight siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving and devoted husband, Thomas A. Edmonds Sr.; one daughter, Donna C. Wilson; one son, Thomas (TJ) Edmonds Jr.; one sister, Margaret Ann Thompson (Clifford Thompson); one sister-in-law, Geraldine Spicely (Sameuel Spicely); one son-in-law, Dwight Wilson; four grandchildren, Wanda Parham-Payne (Rodney Payne Jr.), Ronald Parham Jr., Jasmine Wilson, Jessica Wilson; one great-grandson, Rodney Payne III; a host of nieces and nephews; and friends.

The funeral service for Mrs. Mary C. Edmonds will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, at Springfield Baptist Church, 1806 Exeter Mills Road, Church Road, Va., the Rev. Curtis Mathews, pastor, and the Rev. Keith Parham, eulogist. The interment to follow in Sunset Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at the funeral establishment.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Edmonds online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va. (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.