Martha E. Edwards-El

Martha Elizabeth Edwards-El, daughter of the late Helen Johnson and Vernon Kane, was born on March 29, 1952 in Washington, DC. She gained her heavenly wings on September 14, 2018. Martha was raised with her siblings, by her mother and her step-father, the late Charles Johnson in Baltimore, MD. She received her formal education in the Baltimore City Public Schools System. Martha was employed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in her early twenties as a Hostess. She was most recently employed at Rockland Industries as a Machine Operator until she retired. Sometime in the late 60’s, Martha met the late Howard Pringle and soon after, they welcomed a son, the late Michael C. Johnson. She later met the love of her life, the late William “Billy” Edwards-El and from this union, they became parents to their three beautiful queens, Michelle, Sheila and Nazarene. Martha and Billy were united in holy matrimony in April of 1980 and they remained married until his death in 1992. “Big Nasty” as she was affectionately called, was the LIFE OF THE PARTY! She was known for her sharp tongue and she would tell it to you straight with no cut cards! She loved to travel and enjoyed hanging out with her good friend, Brenda Nobles. Martha enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, her nieces, her nephews and even her neighborhood children! Martha loved to cook and bake but she was best known for her infamous Sweet Potato Pies and her Greens! Martha’s true loves were her grandchildren. They were her world! Brema, as they called her, loved all twelve of her grandchildren and she enjoyed spending quality time with them. She was blessed to have a special individual relationship with each of them but she loved them all the same. Her favorite pastime was to have long phone conversations and to leave even LONGER voicemail messages. She would often be found writing in her journals and listening to gospel music as she sat at her “Thinking Table” while eating fruit. Martha is preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy and Shirley, her brother, Gary and her mother-in-law, Gertrude. Martha, who was a mother figure to many, was loved by all and she will be dearly missed. She leaves to cherish her memories, her three queens; Michelle, Sheila (Timothy) and Nazarene (Anthony Sr.); her grandchildren, Dameera, Sheron, Chyna, Ron Jr., Anthony, Jr., Dayquan, Eddie, E’mia, Jacques, Jr., Timothy, Jr., Antwone, and Jermiah; her great-grandsons, Baby Shawn and Baby Shane; her brothers, Charles, Howard (Aurelia) and Charles; her sisters, Karen, Wendy and Trisha; her brothers-in-law, Richard and Herbert; her sisters-in-law, Denise, Barbara, Sharon, Joanne and Phyllis; her godchildren, Juanita, Dion, Steve, Lindzell, Lawanda, Tayona and Tynira; one special daughter, Nichole; her favorite cousin, Veronica; her best friend, Annette Thomas; two special friends, Bo and Tim; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Martha E. Edwards-El

March 29, 1952 - September 14, 2018