Gladys Marie Edwards

Gladys Marie Edwards (aka Mom Marie), was born on August 3, 1936, in Tallulah, LA to the parents of Hampton Gaines and Ophelia Powell. She was one of four sisters and one brother who died at birth.

At a young age, Mom Marie moved to Cleveland, OH to live with her aunt – Alice Allen. She graduated from John Hay High School and worked as a secretary. She also attended East Mt. Zion Baptist church. On March 22, 1958, she married Rev. Jay C. Edwards in Cleveland, OH. From their union, they had three children: Jay Randolph Crawley, Glenn Andrew and Gina Camille.

In 1960 they moved to Offit AFB in Omaha, NE where they attended Salem Baptist Church and in 1970, they moved to Rialto, CA where she and her husband served at St. Mark Baptist Church. 1n 1977, they served in ministry at Antioch Baptist Church where her husband was the pastor. Mom Marie was a dedicated first lady, Sunday school teacher and President of the Minister’s wives committee. Mom Marie continued her education at San Bernardino Valley College and graduated with an AA degree in Business.

Mom Marie was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed singing, listening to classical music, traveling, cooking and taking care of her growing family. She frequently visited San Diego, CA just to have seafood from her favorite restaurant Anthony’s. Mom Marie enjoyed being a grandmother, NaNa and Aunt to her extended family. She often provided uplifting encouragement and advice to her family and friends.

After retiring from the school district, she moved back to Cleveland, Ohio to help support her sisters and Aunt Bea Curtis. She later moved to Delaware where she joined Word Alive Worship Center, where she served as a mother of the church. In her spare time, Mom Marie would have devotion, complete word search puzzles, watch murder mysteries and QVC and pray throughout the day.

Mom Marie joins her three sisters in heaven, Ivy, Eula and Hazel, her late husband (Jack) and numerous aunts and uncles.

 She leaves behind three children: Jay Randolph Crawley (spouse Carolyn), Glenn Andrew (spouse Shirley), and Gina Camille. In addition, she leaves behind five grandchildren Regina (spouse Nekkia), Randa, Riva, Tyler (spouse Ryan) and Glenn Jr, in addition to six great grandchildren  Bronx, Alexandra, Caleb, Oren, Sarai and Camille and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Thank You Note from our Hearts to Yours

The Edwards and Gaines families would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support. We appreciate the love of Pastors Anthony and Glenda Bailey and the Word Alive Worship Center family. We cherish the life and love of our beloved mother, grandmother and aunt. Her beautiful smile and harmonic soprano voice will never be forgotten. She now is walking around Heaven singing and spending time with her Savior and family. We believe in our hearts that Mom Marie would want everyone to know the love of God and to not live your life without that assurance. God bless.