IN REMEMBRANCE OF MRS. VELORIS ``JEAN'' WILLIAMS-EDWARDS
April 1, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great woman
and sincere friend, Veloris ``Jean'' Williams-Edwards. Jean passed away
on October 29, 2017. Funeral services will be held at Mount Calvary
Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, November 11, 2017
at 11:00 a.m.
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great woman
and sincere friend, Veloris ``Jean'' Williams-Edwards. Jean passed away
on October 29, 2017. Funeral services will be held at Mount Calvary
Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, November 11, 2017
at 11:00 a.m.
A native of Wooten's Crossroads, North Carolina, Jean was born to
George T. and Lacy Ann (Mott) Williams, as the fourth of eight
children. A product of the Greene County School System, she graduated
from Greene County Training School in 1959. She went on to attend North
Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NC A&T) where she
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. After earning
her Bachelor's degree, she earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching from
the University of Maryland.
George T. and Lacy Ann (Mott) Williams, as the fourth of eight
children. A product of the Greene County School System, she graduated
from Greene County Training School in 1959. She went on to attend North
Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NC A&T) where she
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. After earning
her Bachelor's degree, she earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching from
the University of Maryland.
In 1964, she married the love of her life, Leon Edwards, and they
built a life that was based on the love of God, the love of each other,
the love of family and the love of people. They knew that the love of
these could lead one to a close and fulfilling relationship with God
because they are an embodiment of His greatest commandments: to love
Him with all your ``heart, mind and soul'' and to ``love thy neighbor
as thyself.''
built a life that was based on the love of God, the love of each other,
the love of family and the love of people. They knew that the love of
these could lead one to a close and fulfilling relationship with God
because they are an embodiment of His greatest commandments: to love
Him with all your ``heart, mind and soul'' and to ``love thy neighbor
as thyself.''
Jean's passion for education persisted during her professional career
as a teacher, a vocational development specialist and a transition
coordinator, where she taught her students to be of service to others.
After her career in education, she went on launch a dress shop, work as
a promoter for various events, and work alongside her husband at
Edwards Trucking Company (which evolved in to a productive
transportation company), before becoming a staff assistant in the
office of former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. The treasured
relationships she developed and the exciting daily operations of the
Office of the Speaker made her experience on Capitol Hill beneficial.
as a teacher, a vocational development specialist and a transition
coordinator, where she taught her students to be of service to others.
After her career in education, she went on launch a dress shop, work as
a promoter for various events, and work alongside her husband at
Edwards Trucking Company (which evolved in to a productive
transportation company), before becoming a staff assistant in the
office of former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. The treasured
relationships she developed and the exciting daily operations of the
Office of the Speaker made her experience on Capitol Hill beneficial.
Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time.
A great soul never dies.'' Jean was undoubtedly great because of her
devotion to her work, and the compassion she showed for her friends and
loved ones.
A great soul never dies.'' Jean was undoubtedly great because of her
devotion to her work, and the compassion she showed for her friends and
loved ones.
On a personal note, Jean became a trusted friend on Capitol Hill. I
was truly blessed by her friendship as I started my congressional career. Her advice,
counsel and assistance were invaluable.
was truly blessed by her friendship as I started my congressional career. Her advice,
counsel and assistance were invaluable.
Jean was preceded in death by her siblings; Gerald Lee Williams,
Marjorie (Daisy) Williams, George Earl (Bob) Williams, and Melvin
(BoBo) Williams.
Marjorie (Daisy) Williams, George Earl (Bob) Williams, and Melvin
(BoBo) Williams.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Leon A. Edwards; her son,
Reginald Edwards (Sherry); her daughter, Tiena Edwards; two sisters,
Dorothy Clark (Washington, D.C.); Sabrina Hickman (Greenville, NC); two
grandchildren, Reggie (Chaz), and Miesha; two great-grandchildren,
Miayah-Joy Keith and Somer-Hope Keith; two God-children, Julia Chaney
(Winston) and Malika Taylor-Phillips; and a host of relatives and
friends.
Reginald Edwards (Sherry); her daughter, Tiena Edwards; two sisters,
Dorothy Clark (Washington, D.C.); Sabrina Hickman (Greenville, NC); two
grandchildren, Reggie (Chaz), and Miesha; two great-grandchildren,
Miayah-Joy Keith and Somer-Hope Keith; two God-children, Julia Chaney
(Winston) and Malika Taylor-Phillips; and a host of relatives and
friends.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join my wife,
Vivian, and me in extending our deepest sympathies to Jean's family and
friends during this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted
by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and
months ahead.
Vivian, and me in extending our deepest sympathies to Jean's family and
friends during this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted
by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and
months ahead.