Vadie Edwards

Vadie Lee Coleman Edwards was born to Elijah and Cleopatra Coleman on May 31, 1922. She grew up as the third of four children--John Wallace Coleman, Lillie Mae Coleman Dixon, Vadie, then Claude Coates Coleman. The Coleman family worked their farm in Halifax County, Virginia, and the children walked to the Elkhorn Elementary School, picking up children from neighboring farms along the way. She was active at County Line Baptist Church, along with all her family members. She later graduated from Halifax Training School. By her mid-twenties, Vadie Lee was ready to leave the farm so she traveled north to live with cousins. She first traveled to Philadelphia but then drifted a little south to Maryland where she secured a job with the state of Maryland as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Henryton State Hospital. While there, she met and married Frank Edwards Parker, in 1949. She worked for the State of Maryland for 36 years. At the age of 97, Vadie passed from life to eternal peace on Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2020 at Caring Hearts Assisted Living in Bowie, Maryland. After her retirement, Vadie continued to show her love for the Lord by attending Victorious Ministries International in Baltimore, MD; and later when she moved to help Melissa with Aisha, she joined St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Salisbury, Maryland, until she became housebound. St. Paul ministered to her at home until she moved to assisted living in Bowie. Vadie Lee raised two other children in her time on Earth. First, she raised her grand-daughter, Melissa Edwards, then she had a strong presence in the life of her great-grandchild, Aisha Mohammed. Melissa primarily lived with her grandmother Vadie and attended Pr-kindergarten to eight grade where her grandmother lived. Vadie helped Melissa succeed in the newly integrated Carroll County school system, become accepting of others, develop a love of travel, and learn to love God at West Liberty United Methodist Church. Vadie moved in with Melissa shortly after Aisha was born, so she could watcher her great-grand-daughter until Aisha began school. Then, just as she had done for Melissa, Vadie was present with afterschool snacks as Aisha attended Pre-K to eighth grade. Vadie's legacy continues with her grand-daughter, Melissa Edwards (Mohammed); her great-grand-daughter, Aisha Mohammed; a sister-in-law, Fannie Coleman; nieces, Doretha Dixon Gay, Margaret Dixon Reynolds, Sandra Coleman Folkes, Penny Coleman Rucker, and Renee Coleman Brown; nephews David Dixon and Wayne Coleman; and a host of extended family and friends.

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Vadie Edwards

May 31, 1922 - May 14, 2020