Latishia Dionne Edwards

Latisha Dionne Edwards (Dina) was born to Lolita and Joe Mabry on May 27,1968. An only child, Dina grew up cherished and adored. She loved people and easily became a part of everyone’s family. When the family dynamics changed, Dina did not welcome a “stepfamily”, but embraced another beloved father, Howard Black, and a loving brother, Howard Black Jr. Dina attended South Park Elementary and Holmes Jr. High School. She graduated from North Hollywood High School in the class of 1986. She began her employment years as an administrative assistant at CR Laurence. She remained a loyal employee until she was hired by Los Angeles Superior Court which continued her passion for servicing others. But this did not define her. Family defined her. Her immediate family, her extended family (cousins and life-long friends) and her church family. Dina was a member of Greater New Mt. Zion where she served in the Choir and as the Church Secretary. Four years later, she joined New Creation Christian Faith Center under the Leadership of Pastor Will A. Wheat and spiritual confidante, First Lady Elizabeth Wheat. Finding spiritual peace as a dedicated member, NCCFC became Dina’s “church home” and from that point, her compassion for ministry truly flourished. Not only did she serve in the Church Choir, but also on the Praise Team, Dance Ministry, Youth Ministry, and appointed as an Ordained Minister. Family was so important to Dina. The day she had her first child, Jonathan, she was changed forever. She loved being a parent and did her best to be the perfect mom for him. The two were inseparable and on August 22, 1998, the two became three when Dina married Jeffrey Edwards. Jeff and Dina had two other children, Chris and Nicholas. Surrounded by her four men, Dina lived a happy and content life. Dina will always be remembered by her warm smiles, snickers & giggles, soothing spirit, humorous laughters, and most of all…the comical nick-names she had for family and friends. Even in adversity, Dina was a positive, strong, faith-welding force to be reckoned with and on February 13, 2019, Dina decided to stop holding on and just be held. “In the storm is where she found Him. In the arms of the God who won't let go. So when you're on your knees And answers seem so far away. You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held. Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place. I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held. Just be held, just be held.” Dina is being held safe in the arms of a loving God, a Father who loves her more than anyone else could. Dina was preceded in death by her mother, Lolita Mabry, father, Joe Mabry, second father Howard Black. Dina is survived by her husband, Jeffrey, her three children, Jonathan, Christopher, and Nicholas, brother, Howard Black, Jr., her god-children, nieces, cousins, relatives and a host of special friends.