Evelyn was born to William Sydney and Ida Lou DuVal Sledd on July 17, 1919. She was the youngest of 5 children. She graduated from The Matthew Whaley School in Williamsburg in 1937. She attended Keys Business College and worked at The Newport News Shipyard as a key punch operator for 14 years. She held many jobs throughout her life, always wanting to learn new things. Some of her fondest memories from the early 40s were attending military dances at Fort Eustis and Fort Monroe as she loved music and dancing. She married the love of her life, Elmon Simms Edwards on November 19, 1949. He was her forever best dance partner. They had 25 years together until his death in 1974.
Evelyn was very independent and full of spunk. She had a quick wit and always had an old saying to make someone laugh. Having lived on her own until she was almost 96 she lived on her own terms and relied on her faith in God. She was a member of Wythe Presbyterian Church. She loved to work in her yard and she also loved to play bridge. Evelyn was blessed to have longtime neighbors Maxine Grepiotis and Laura and Andy Anderson, who looked out for each other for many years.
She is survived by her son Elmon S. Edwards, Jr. (Kristi) of Gloucester. Her daughter Cynthia
Smelgus (Jim) of Smithfield. 5 grandchildren, Christopher, Carleigh, Shawn, Jared and Jenna (Jared), 2 great grandchildren, Christopher and Luke, 2 nephews, Val Sledd and Donald Sledd and 1 niece, Denise Goodman. Evelyn is also survived by her dear friend Vickie Batchelor, who she shared many laughs and good times with for 56 years.
The family will receive friends from 11 to 12 on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at Parklawn-Wood funeral home chapel with a service to follow at 12; interment will be at Parklawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
A special thank you to Riverside Healthy Living Community (The Garden) and Riverside
Hospice for all their love and care.
