Abigail Lee Ward Edwards

She is survived by her husband, Mark; two amazing children, Elliott (4) and Emma (7 months); two step children, Kira ( 21) and Leo (14); siblings, Lauren (David), TJ (Georgina), Harrison (Ashley), and Mandy (Tyler); her parents, Tom and Jenny Ward; her beloved nieces and nephews, Amelia Grace, Asher, Sam, and Sylvie; and cherished grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Born in Huntersville, North Carolina, on September 15, 1992, Abby was a triplet with identical twin sister Mandy and (not identical…think about it) Harrison.

Abby graduated from West Forsyth High School in 2010 and Appalachian State University in 2014 with a degree in Marketing. After graduation, she moved to Greensboro when she began working at JMP where she met Mark Edwards. They were married in 2019. She welcomed being a stepmother to Kira and Leo and loved how they embraced Elliott and Emma as their family grew.

Her large extended family was everything to Abby. She never missed a large family gathering and was always the first to respond to an invitation. She and her twin sister took their children to see their Oma and Pappy (maternal great grandparents to the kids) at least once a week. Abby was the life of these parties, though she did not see herself that way. She preferred to stay in the background, but her quick wit and hysterical off hand sarcastic remarks always sparked raucous laughter.

Abby was known and loved for her dry sarcastic sense of humor. She could be counted on to provide levity in any situation and had the gift of knowing just the right thing to say to cut the tension and make everyone laugh. More than anything she wanted to be known as Elliott (4) and Emma’s (7 months) mom. That was her most treasured role in life. She spent her days making sure they felt loved and treasured. She filled their time with activities meant to educate and entertain them. She limited screen time but was a sucker for a good Bluey episode. She knew the name of every monster truck and Pixar Cars character because those are Elliott’s obsessions. She could play Spot-it with the best of them. Abby always wanted to be a girl mom until she became a boy mom. She excelled at both.

As soon as she knew Emma was on the way, there was a pink explosion in the Edwards house. Abby was a safe haven and soft-landing spot for her children who she loved to cuddle and nurture.

Abby and her twin sister, Mandy, co-mothered their children. They were constantly in touch and got together nearly every day. Their boys are inseparable and their infant daughters light up when they see each other. These children have kept this family sane throughout the painful days of Abby’s sudden unexpected illness. A lost Paw Patrol shoe or a missing Lightning McQueen t-shirt is a crisis to a four-year-old no matter what else is going on for the grown-ups.

Abby was always on the move: walking, running, cycling, and chasing kids. She and her husband Mark encouraged Elliott’s athleticism. Mark is an avid cyclist, and Abby enjoyed joining him when she could. They had Elliott up on a bike as soon as he could walk and playing soccer as soon as he could run. Abby will be guiding Mark and Elliott from heaven to teach Emma how to ride and kick a soccer ball as soon as she has the core strength to stand.

Above all, Abby was generous. Her final act of generosity was to save the lives of at least five people through organ donation. Her family prayed for a miracle when Abby became ill. Sometimes the miracle is not the one we expect. Abby’s miracle was giving new life to others through her selflessness. There is no greater love than that. While her family finds comfort in knowing Abby lives on in others, we are heartbroken as we try to navigate living a life without her physical presence. As Elliott has so wisely told us, “she lives in my heart now.”

The family will host a Celebration of Abby's life on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 5pm at Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Clemmons. They will receive friends for visitation following the service.

Memorial contributions can be made in Abby's memory to the Carolina Fertility Institute. Abby and Mark used CFI to grow their family. For more information on how to donate, please email [email protected]