Edna Juanita Lang, was born on February 17, 1942 in Axton, Virginia to Joseph Lee Reynolds (deceased) and Dorothy R. Reynolds (deceased). Her childhood and some of her teenage years were spent in Martinsville, yet her adventurous spirit and travelling mindset took her all over the East coast, until “Aunt Mary,” one of our matriarchs (deceased), sent for her to come to Southern California. She came to California, a young woman, with three sons in tow. Her eldest daughter would eventually come from Virginia in 1970 to Pomona, California to a family complete with four boys and four girls.
Edna, momma, Ms. Juanita, Monkey Poo/Sue, or her affectionate name her daddy gave her “chocolate drop,” was truly a woman who needed the world to play in. After attending Southside High school in Virginia, she began to travel extensively and received her education from the school of hard knocks. She loved to shop and sell furniture and goods. She had a way with yard sales and selling used items. This was her occupation, and she did this all her life. This did not stop her from taking on many other jobs in which she excelled: Mary Kay, Amway, Sarah Coventry, Insurance salesman, cosmetology, cashier, owner and operator of furniture stores, a record store, a drive-thru dairy, and other odd jobs to maintain and keep her children properly cared for. In her home was community, shared by many, through food a plenty. She met no strangers as they grabbed a plate and began the journey of family with the Martins. Edna’s home was surely a place of refuge for many a person.
Edna did not do this on her own. She has always had someone real close to her and a constant support partner; her other half for at least forty-five plus years was Mary Garrett, affectionally called “Momma Mary” (deceased). The experiences, activities, and relationship of these two women matched the friendship of David & Jonathan. They were tied at the hip and watched over by Aunt Mary. Momma Mary and Edna lives were inseparable, where one moved the other was to follow. From South Central to Pomona, then to Lancaster, ending in Victorville these women (Aunt Mary, momma Mary and Juanita) carried families in tow. As time passed and Edna moved to Las Vegas her connection to her next friend, caregiver, and support person was Anna Ream. From the time they met till her last breath, Anna was there. She was Ms. Juanita’s everything, daughter, friend, caregiver. If momma was there, so was Anna. Our family will be indebted to the love care and consideration Anna provided mom.
Edna was very much a part of the church, having given her life to God at a very young age. Her children were a moving band of actors, singers, artisans, cooks, engineers, and mechanics. Anything needed to “GET IT DONE,” was available to her with an outlook of success, and punishment for those who used the word “CAN’T,” which was not allowed in our home. We were carried all around Southern California to sing and do a host of events under the name, The Gospel Youth Club – Gods’ Little Helpers! This lasted for decades with her children growing up and Edna using other children, grandkids, and anybody who she met to keep the club going. Edna Juanita was never a person to stand down. She always saw a way to make meaning out of life and bring joy to others. We do not have enough time or paper to talk about all the men, women, and children she had cared for, clothed, sheltered, fed, and given funds to help them on life’s journey, even when it was to her detriment.
Edna Juanita Lang's family is large...six sisters: Helen Hairston, Cascade, Virginia; Dorothy M. Reynolds, Las Vegas, NV; Phoebe Peatross (deceased); Sandra Clark, Las Vegas, NV; Sedena Reynolds (deceased); Barbara J Robinson (deceased); five brothers: David L. Reynolds (Drucilla), Martinsville, VA; Joseph Lee Reynolds Jr. (deceased); James L. Reynolds (Sandra), N. Las Vegas, NV; John T. Reynolds, California; Jeffery L. Reynolds (deceased). Edna Juanita Lang had eight children...four sons: Larry (Eldest), Joseph, Ronnie and Daryl (Jalani); four daughters: Robbin Graham (deceased), Charlotte Furnace (deceased), Erika Henderson and Linda West (youngest). There are over 30-plus grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren to keep the Martin family in place for generations to come.
We, the Martin family would like to thank all of you for your time, care, patience, and love during this painful experience.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Lang family.
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