Good evening everyone. My family and I thank everyone who came out to our gathering to pay their last respect to mama.

First and foremost, I must say that this is not a burial but a celebration of the life of our mom. She is not here but sleeping, and one day she will be called to stand with all the saints.

Vilma Loise Edwards, born July 7, 1948 to Myrtle Butler and Sam George Salmon. She was the eldest of three children. She married Derrick Edwards on January 6, 1972 at the age twenty-four, and during their 45 years of marriage they produced four children and one step child. Kirkland Edwards, Susan Edwards, Sandra Edwards and Paulette Edwards. She was also truly blessed with five grandchildren, Ashley, Massimo, KJ, Caira and Romaine.

Mrs. Edwards, woman of God, wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, woman of God.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards migrated to America in 1994. They had plans of getting their children to be with them, and they executed their plan and was successful. Mother constantly reminded us of the need to grasp opportunity and make the best of it. She taught us the importance of completing tasks, which moved over to us completing projects, careers, family, life and staying in the blessings of God.

Mother was kind and caring to all she met. She literally took the clothes off her back and gave others. I can recall one example, back in the days of living in Jamaica; she was preparing dinner for us and an acquaintance stopped by the house. The individual was down in finances, with nowhere to live and food was limited. Our finances were also limited, but mama knew how to “tun her hand and mek fashion” She was preparing super and I notice she was sharing a meal for our guest. I then turned to mama and said, “what are you doing mama, don’t you know that we don’t have enough for us, and mama turned and said, “God will bless us”, in a sarcastic way I responded with “Can he bless us now mama” and she smiled and ignored me and continued completing her task. I can also recall that there was always someone living with us. She was the epitomy of helping others getting back on their feet, and this heart extended to the church and their needs.

She was a classy lady and enjoyed life. She traveled all over the globe and was loved by individuals of many ethnic background. She was not small in mind. She taught us about the love of people and not color, and the importance of seeing people through God’s eyes. She was kind but conscious.

Vilma Loise Edwards, Woman of God, wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, woman of God.

She loved all her grandchildren and wanted the best for all of them. She frequently had 4th of July parties and due to living away in Georgia I was unable to attend often. She was elated when she spoke to me via the phone regarding her grand babies “who said what and who did what”.

She was the first strong business woman I can relate to. I can’t recall my mother not pursuing activities that she enjoyed. She juggled caring for my siblings and I, while still enjoying her little business ventures. I truly believed this was healthy because she enjoyed what she did, and taught us the value of self-achievement and sense of pride in pursuing personal goals. My dad and mom were wonderful providers for us. I can’t recall needing something to propel me to the next level and did not get it. Our parents gave us what we needed not what we wanted. Thank you, lord.

Our mom was not the typical wife. She balanced caring for us, operating a small home base business, staying active in church activities and being there for our dad. Her famous words” Mi hafi look after Derrick Dinner”.

Last but by no means the least. I want to thank Michelle, mama’s former employer and friend for coming to our gathering to share and remember mama’s life. Mama thought the world of Michelle, her husband and the children. I felt I knew Michelle and the children though I never physically met them, because I loved them through mama’s eyes. Mama saw Michelle as her daughter and the children as her grandchildren. I would hear stories of the children when I was still in Jamaica. Mama told us about the trips that they went on and how much of a beautiful person Michelle was. This was my first education on people from different ethnic backgrounds and I don’t mean from the text book. She often quoted statements made by the children when they were young and we would laugh in a positive light. She truly loved them all and this was a fact. I know Michelle and the children’s presence will bring a smile to mama’s face if she is seeing this gathering. She loved Michelle’s family and this is a fact not an overstatement.

My mom was strong mentally and proud in the lord in life and death. She was a fighter and a conqueror. Fighting battles, I can’t imagine, and not seen with the naked eyes. This battle was not physical but spiritual in nature.

As a family, we will continue to love each other and stay strong in numbers because a house divided will fall. Mama kept us together and will continue to do so.

Vilma Loise Edwards, woman of God, wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, woman of God. See you later mama.