Iyasha Toyling Edwards

lyasha Toyling Edwards, 50, went home to be with the Lord on February 27, 2023, at her residence surrounded by her loving  family. She was a Cancer Warrior for five Years and two months. lyasha was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 1971 to the late Roy and Elsie Lee Cross.

She relocated with her family back to Virginia in 1979. She attended Nansemond Parkway Elementary School and Driver Middle School. She graduated from John Yeates High School, where she ran track, played basketball, and played clarinet in the marching band. Iyasha obtained her B.S. in Business Operations at Devry University in Decatur, Georgia, where she was also a Kappa Sweetheart.

She entered into holy matrimony to her husband of 15 years, Anthony Edwards, on March 22, 2008, after seven years of courtship.

Iyasha was an active member at Healing Chapel Baptist Church and regularly volunteered in the Suffolk advocacy groups and many breast cancer groups. She is the Founder of a Non-Profit for Cancer Awareness, which she named the I.C.E Foundation.

Iyasha worked at Suffolk Public Schools for over ten years. Iyasha started as a hall monitor and was later hired as an Administrative Assistant. While at Kings Fork High School, Iyasha helped found Charming Young Ladies, a mentoring group. Iyasha encouraged and supported every student she interacted with during her time there. Then, she worked as an Auditor in the Quality Assurance department for Hines Kraft, also known as Planters Peanuts. She worked there until she retired as disabled. Iyasha was Co-Owner with Kim Mason of their business Auntie Mommy and Me. With a love of soul food and cooking, they founded their company in 2019. Finally, Iyasha worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia, where she continued to mentor and support.

Iyasha is also an author. She wrote “Wave Your Troubles Away,” an inspirational book titled, “My Voice, My Dreams, My Inspiration.”

Iyasha is survived by her husband, Anthony Edwards, and her three children, Aimee Cross, Kevin Cross, and Ayanna Edwards, whom they shared. In addition, she is survived by five grandchildren: Taylor, Tyler, Talayeh, Kendrix, and Leilani. Her Siblings Tracey Tucker, Roy (Keisha) Cross, and Darwin (Shirley) White. Her nieces & nephews Charmaine Cross, Ashley Cross, Alexis Cross, Malik Cross, Darrian White, Leshawne Malone, Tatianna Cross, Roy Cross, 3rd, Shantiqua Cross, Lavasia Malone, Daquan Cross, Montell Cross, Naheelah Cross, Naquan Cross, and Khalic Cross. A host of cousins, friends, great-nieces, great-nephews, and one Godson, Cam’ron Hill.

Thank you to her special friends Janell Price(John), Altovise Johnson, Kim and Ron Mason, Gerald and Uckolanda Lily, Charles and Priscilla Almonds, Gerald and Robin Davis, the best Pastor and First lady, Morris and Sophia Allmond, and so many more.