MRS. ILA OPHELIA EDWARDS

Ila Ophelia Edwards departed this earthly life and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at her home in Lynchburg, South Carolina. She was born on May 30, 1943 in Lee County, Lynchburg to the late Josephine Fleming Goodman and William Singletary. Ila, affectionately called “Tiney” was raised by the village of her grandmother, Sara Fleming and grand aunt,Sadie Durant. She attended the Lee County Public Schools and was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, in the Class of 1963. In January of 1965, she met and married Charles Lenwood Edwards of Lynchburg and to this loving union, three children were born. Mrs. Edwards was a devoted and faithful member of Jordan Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Olanta, South Carolina, where she served as an Usher, Sunday School Secretary and teacher. “Tiney” received her Cosmetology Degree at the Sumter Beauty College and was a licensed cosmetologist in Lynchburg for over forty years. She also served as a nanny, housekeeper, seamstress, and florist. Her numerous hobbies were reading the Bible, books about African American culture, ceramics, gardening, flower arrangements, cooking and baking. “Tiney” was knowledgeable and gifted in many ways of homesteading and gardening. She often shared her love of horticulture with her children and grandchildren. In the community, she was a member of The Magnolia Festival Committee, Magnolia Beautification Committee, SC State & National Beauty Associations, and other various social clubs. As a member of Jordan Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Olanta, SC, she served as an Usher, Sunday School secretary and teacher.. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Herbert M. Edwards; aunt Sadie; one sister, Dorothy; brothers: Sonny, John Henry, Jr. and Stanley; and her Mother-in Love, Annie Ruby Edwards. Those left to cherish precious memories are her husband of fifty seven years, Charles Lenwood Edwards; two cherished daughters, Sheila (Sam) Edwards-Darby and Charlene E. (Bobby) Ballenger; stepson, Tim (Dennell) Jackson; granddaughters, India Solomon and Chandra Ballenger of Charlotte, North Carolina, Tamika Davis and Deneshea Jackson of Columbus, Georgia ; grandsons: Bobby Ballenger, III of Charlotte, North Carolina and Deroshea DJ Jackson of Columbus, Georgia; great-grandsons, Jon-Michael & Solomon Houston of Charlotte, North Carolina; a devoted brother Michael (Gussie) Goodman, Sisters-in-law, Mae E. (David) Wells, Almeta E. Fleming, Verlencia E. (Darryl) Johnson and Vernessa (Mitchell) Joyce; brother-in-law, Doug (Deidra) Edwards. Best Friends, Gloria “Cookie” Rabb, Ethel (Thompson) Isaac and Loraine McDonald. Aunt “Tiney” will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews; and many extended family and friends.

MRS. ILA OPHELIA EDWARDS

May 30, 1943 - August 16, 2022