Mother Janie D. Edwards of 2132 Oregon Avenue, Suffolk, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, in Obici Hospital. A native of Newport News, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Caroline Holley Dillard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest James Edwards Sr.; a son, Raymond Edwards, and two daughters, Barbara Miles and Mae E. Blow.

She had retired from Planters Division of Kraft Foods.

She was a member of Gates of Heaven Church of God In Christ for 74 years and was the last surviving of the founding members. She had been a faithful member, a cook, Sunday School Teacher, member of the choir, and a seller of dinners.

She had served as a member of the Pastor’s Anniversary Committee and Church Anniversary Committee, a member and vice president to the Hospitality Committee, the Mother’s Board and Church Mother. She was also a

member of the Suffolk Senior Citizens Club.

She is survived by four sons, Clifton Edwards and John T. Edwards (Margaret), all of Suffolk; Ernest Edwards Jr. (Nancy) of Baltimore, Md; and Haywood Edwards (Renail) of Bridgeport, Conn.; a daughter, Janet Edwards of Reno, Nev.; a brother, William &uot;Bud&uot; Madison; two sisters, Carrie Brown and Erma Bell; a daughter-in-law, Marie Edwards; a brother-in-law, Elder Wallace Brown, Sr.; 29 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, a special relative, Christine Edwards; other relatives, friends; and devoted nursing attendants, Versa Franklin, Iris Odelop and Cynthia Faust.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Gates of Heaven Church of God in Christ by Elder Sylvester Silver. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 7-8 p.m. Friday in Crocker Funeral Home.