On Sunday, July 14, 2013, Shirley Audrey Edwards departed this life at Sentara Obici Hospital. She was born in Nansemond County on Sept. 29, 1940, to the late Sylvester Mayfield Sr. and Alease D. Porter Mayfield. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Sylvester Mayfield Jr. and Callender Mayfield, and sister, Ella Mae Brown. She was the second child of 12 children.

She was a graduate of East Suffolk High School. She met and married the love of her life, Rudolph E. Edwards Sr., in 1964. She retired from Hillcrest Convalescence Home (Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation) as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

She was an active member of Piney Grove Baptist Church. In the church, she served as the president of the Greeter’s Ministry. She was an avid gardener and seamstress. She was a second mother to many who came in contact with her. Throughout the community she was known as “Ms. Shirley” and “The Seamstress.”

She leaves to cherish and perpetuate her memory: three daughters, Shirron Brisseau (Anthony), of Carrollton, Shirnell Baker (Dennis), of Newport News, and Shirnita Davis, of Suffolk; one son, Rudolph Edison Edwards Jr. (Regine), of Suffolk; six grandchildren, Shavon Smith, Thaddeus Smith Jr., Taliyah Edwards, Audre’ Davis, Reginald Davis IV, Aiden Edwards; three step-grandchildren, Da’Shia Baker, Dennis Baker Jr. and Kierra Baker; four sisters, Carnell Goodman, Linda Little, Everne Joe and Vivian Knight; four brothers, Earl Mayfield (Constance), Pernell Mayfield, Daniel Mayfield (Glenda), Robert Mayfield (Renee); one brother-in-law, Carroll Brown; sister-in-law, Ruth Edwards; special nephew, Justin Knight; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 20, 2013, at Piney Grove Baptist Church officiated by the Rev. Larry Parker. Interment will be in Piney Grove Church Cemetery. A wake will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2013, at Crocker Funeral Home. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.