Frances Edwards

Hey there. My name is Frances Leona Edwards, I was born on January 2, 1937 in Meridian, Mississippi.  I was the first child born to Will and Leona (Johnson) Brown. Will had five older children and Leona had two children from previous marriages. By the end of it all, there were 12 of us 6 boys and 6 girls.

I graduated from Parco High School in Parco, Alabama in 1956. That same year I moved to Chicago, Illinois where I settled and made a life for myself.  I found employment at Spiegel Mail Order Company, where I started as a clerk. I was a dedicated worker and after some time I was able to move up through several positions and eventually retired as an Exclusive Buyer for Spiegel.  It was at Spiegel that I met the love of my life; the Duke of Earl, Earl Edwards, Sr.. I married Earl in 1975. We lived happily together from then until 2019 when my Earl was called home. 

I joined several churches with my husband Earl. A role that we took great pride in was choir directors. We started at New Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Following that we went to Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church. Our last church of membership was New Life Seventh Day Adventist Church where we were baptized again and attended until our health no longer allowed us to. We harmonized great together singing at weddings, funerals, parties and family reunions.

I did not bear children of my own, however, I took pride in helping to be a motherly figure to some of my step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. Summer vacations and family reunions were a key part of the time we dedicated to many of the children who loved me and spent endless hours with me. 

I had 6 loving step-children, Cassandra (LaRue), Earl (Veronica), L’Tanya, Kim (Chester), Darren (Stephanie) who preceded me in death, and Taria (Clarance), one god-daughter, Angela, fourteen grandchildren (one of which I raised), twenty-three great grandchildren (three of which I raised and one who preceded me in death), one great-great grandchild, and generations of nieces, nephews and cousins. 

I was called home on November 24, 2020. I was virtually surrounded by love from my step children and step grandchildren. Thank God I was in no pain and was blessed that they made sure my last moments were spent with the voices of my loved ones.

A few of those I loved, took this journey before me. I was preceded in death by my beloved husband Earl, my mother Leona Brown-Wesley, father Will Brown and stepfather Herbert Wesley. Siblings, Ruth Mae Stout, Bennie Lee Gordon, Mildred Brown, Jessie Mae Jennins, Mattie Heard, Wallace Brown, Joe Will Brown, Arthur Lee Brown, and Will Henry Brown.

Still around to cherish my memory are my loving brothers, Clearance K. Brown Sr. (Mary) of Hutto TX and Shelby E. Brown Sr. (Cathy) of DeKalb Georgia. 

I lived a great life. There wasn’t much more that I could have asked for. I loved and I was loved. Please, don’t be sad for me. I’m back with a lot of those I love and if you ask me, I am doing SUPER-FANTASTIC!