Obituary for Lavada Edwards (Byrd)
Mrs. Lavada Byrd Edwards, age 80, a native of Mobile, Alabama, transitioned on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. She was born January 23, 1940 to the late Mr. Jim Byrd and Mrs. Dessie Lee Byrd Franks. She was the granddaughter of the late Mrs. Addie Austin (Mama Addie) and the niece of Mrs. Irma May (Aunt Irma). Lavada was the eldest of 6 siblings.
She was a 1957 graduate of Josephine Allen Academy and a graduate of Royal Beauty School. She married David E. Edwards, Sr. on September 17, 1957. Lavada enjoyed life and its simple pleasures to the fullest: she treasured spending time with her family, friends and church members, she enjoyed her personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and she was a dedicated member of The Emmanuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Lavada thoroughly enjoyed cooking on holidays and having her family come over to enjoy her delicious collard greens and other soul food favorites. She loved to laugh and enjoyed what she considered to be funny commercials. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She had a very loving relationship with her sons-in-law and her daughter-in-law.
Lavada was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Constance Edwards Smith. She is survived by her remaining 8 devoted children: Pastor David (Ann) Edwards Jr., Dr. Brenda (Barry) King, Kathryn Edwards, Pastor Kenneth (Connie) Edwards, Rhonda Herrine, CSM (Retired) Gloria (Ivan) Jones-Green, Ashley Edwards and Leslie Edwards. She has 32 adoring grandchildren: Desmond (Melanie) Edwards, Carmen Edwards (deceased), Joyce (Kunta) Carson, Stephen (Tonya) Harris, Marshelia (Terence) Harmon, DaVeena (Lennes) McDaniel, Jillesa Edwards, Elizabeth (Richard) Norwood, Andrew Edwards, Najah Gray, Kittrell Foster, Bobby Love, Tamiya King, Terrell King, Damien Edwards, Deion Edwards, Darius Edwards, Brandon Hill, Jabrell Daniels, Aminah (Femi) Oshikoya, Anikka Edwards, LaShondra Herrine, LaQuandra Herrine, Patrick Herrine, Diondra Herrine, Takiya Jones, Venchanta Edwards, Georgia Edwards, David V. Edwards, Shantericka Rayford, Shanequa Turner, Jacobe Edwards. Lavada was blessed with 35 beautiful great grandchildren and 2 lovely great-great grandchildren.
Lavada was also preceded in death by her youngest brother, James Franks. Left to cherish her memory are three brothers John Franks, Anthony Franks, and Timothy (JoAnn) Franks, and her sister, Peggy Walters. She has a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many special cousins and friends who loved her dearly. One of her devoted cousins is Ms. Regina May and her dearest friend is Mrs. Patsey Ruffin. Lavada will be missed tremendously by her family and friends, and she will always be cherished in our hearts.
She was a 1957 graduate of Josephine Allen Academy and a graduate of Royal Beauty School. She married David E. Edwards, Sr. on September 17, 1957. Lavada enjoyed life and its simple pleasures to the fullest: she treasured spending time with her family, friends and church members, she enjoyed her personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and she was a dedicated member of The Emmanuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Lavada thoroughly enjoyed cooking on holidays and having her family come over to enjoy her delicious collard greens and other soul food favorites. She loved to laugh and enjoyed what she considered to be funny commercials. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She had a very loving relationship with her sons-in-law and her daughter-in-law.
Lavada was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Constance Edwards Smith. She is survived by her remaining 8 devoted children: Pastor David (Ann) Edwards Jr., Dr. Brenda (Barry) King, Kathryn Edwards, Pastor Kenneth (Connie) Edwards, Rhonda Herrine, CSM (Retired) Gloria (Ivan) Jones-Green, Ashley Edwards and Leslie Edwards. She has 32 adoring grandchildren: Desmond (Melanie) Edwards, Carmen Edwards (deceased), Joyce (Kunta) Carson, Stephen (Tonya) Harris, Marshelia (Terence) Harmon, DaVeena (Lennes) McDaniel, Jillesa Edwards, Elizabeth (Richard) Norwood, Andrew Edwards, Najah Gray, Kittrell Foster, Bobby Love, Tamiya King, Terrell King, Damien Edwards, Deion Edwards, Darius Edwards, Brandon Hill, Jabrell Daniels, Aminah (Femi) Oshikoya, Anikka Edwards, LaShondra Herrine, LaQuandra Herrine, Patrick Herrine, Diondra Herrine, Takiya Jones, Venchanta Edwards, Georgia Edwards, David V. Edwards, Shantericka Rayford, Shanequa Turner, Jacobe Edwards. Lavada was blessed with 35 beautiful great grandchildren and 2 lovely great-great grandchildren.
Lavada was also preceded in death by her youngest brother, James Franks. Left to cherish her memory are three brothers John Franks, Anthony Franks, and Timothy (JoAnn) Franks, and her sister, Peggy Walters. She has a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many special cousins and friends who loved her dearly. One of her devoted cousins is Ms. Regina May and her dearest friend is Mrs. Patsey Ruffin. Lavada will be missed tremendously by her family and friends, and she will always be cherished in our hearts.