Obituary

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. 2 Timothy 4:7

Betty Jean Edwards gracefully transitioned from this earth into heaven on November 17, 2017 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Betty was born on November 26, 1962 in Fredericksburg, Virginia and is the daughter of Mary J. Garnett and the late James E. Gaines.

Betty confessed Christ at an early age and received her spiritual guidance at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Supply, Virginia. She graduated from King George High School and attended Virginia Commonwealth University and Strayer University.
Betty held several positions in the Health Care field. She was employed by Virginia Premier as a Contract Specialist for many years. She also worked as a Network Educator at the Optima Health.

On April 15, 1989, Betty was joined in Holy Matrimony to Stewart T. Edwards. From this union, they were blessed with two loving sons, Matthew and Joshua. After marriage and relocating to Richmond, Virginia, Betty moved her membership to First Baptist Church Elmont, Ashland, Virginia. She served as a Church Trustee and a member of the Usher Ministry. Betty loved working with the little kids at her church.

Betty was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was an avid shopper; she had grace, style and an eye for a good sale in fashion. She loved to shop for everything: shoes, designer handbags, latest fashions, household goods, furniture and shopping for her husband and boys. She had a special gift and talent for decorating. She was not afraid to use bold and bright colors and adding unique decorative pieces and accents to create a beautiful home for her family. Betty loved the holidays, especially Christmas where she enjoyed decorating her home inside and out.

Betty enjoyed planting flowers around her home, cooking and baking cakes, pies and other sweet treats. She was known for her famous coconut cakes and cheese cakes. Betty loved to travel to places far and near. She vacationed in Hawaii, Key West, Myrtle Beach, Florida, Las Vegas, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and many other places where she enjoyed sight-seeing, shopping and spending time at the beaches. Betty also enjoyed going to Carter Mountain in Charlottesville, Virginia where she normally picked and purchased delicious Fuji apples. She enjoyed going to the drag races to watch Matthew and Joshua compete.

Betty leaves to cherish her fond memory, her devoted and loving husband, Stewart, two sons, Matthew and Joshua, her mother, Mary Garnett of King George, VA, four brothers, Earl Garnett (Laura) of Upper Marlboro, MD, Rickey Garnett of Baltimore, MD, David Garnett of King George, VA and Marshall Garnett of Fredericksburg, VA; three sisters, Bernice Contee (Ralph) of Clinton, MD, Mary Johnson of Partlow, VA and Anita Garnett of Fredericksburg, VA; one Aunt, Esther Holmes of Supply, VA, a very special nephew, Lance Contee (Shawna) of Waldorf, MD; five brothers-in-law, Rufus Johnson. Jr. (Camille), Wayne Johnson, William Johnson (Rita), twins Donald Edwards (Sherrie) and Ronald Edwards (Jackie); five sisters-in-law, Katherine J. Stevens (Percy), Channie Layne (Tommie), Ruby Haynesworth (James), Phyllis Taft (Ray) and Patricia Moore (Clyde) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.