The Essence of Mary Lucy Edwards Mary Lucy Brown Edwards, daughter of the late Elsie and Cornelius Brown, was called home on Tuesday, July 25, 2012. She lost her courageous battle of two years to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease - an incurable disease that took her away from us far too soon. Let us stop, reflect, and celebrate the life of one of GOD's true Angels….MARY. Mary was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia on May 14, 1938. She loved teaching and dedicated her adult life to educating young people. One of her favorite quotes was "A teacher affects eternity ~ No one can tell where her influence stops…" Mary was incredibly smart, worked hard to be the best and showed an early thirst for knowledge. She graduated with honors from Carver High School, Chester, Virginia, Class of 1956. She continued her education at Kean College, Union, NJ, with her Bachelor's Degree and earned her Master's Degree from William Patterson College in Wayne, NJ. In 1960 Mary moved to New Jersey and started a family with her then husband, Aubrey Bragg. This union gave Mary her two special daughters, Chanda and Sonya. Mary was a devoted wife and mother to her family. Always the teacher, Mary instilled high morals and values in her daughters and what it meant to be educated and committed. She taught her daughters to do their best and be the best women they could. Mary received many outstanding professional performance awards for consistent dedication to the pursuit of excellence. She believed the Lord was her Savior and her first pursuit was as an active member of her church. She was also a dedicated member of her community while representing the Democratic Party of her then hometown district of Union County in Hillside, NJ.    In addition, she served on the usher board at Second Baptist Church, Rahway, NJ and was active in sororities and clubs alike. Mary wedded  Carlton Edwards in 1995, moved to Virginia and continued educating young children in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her continued belief in GOD led her to be  instrumental in building an addition on Galilee Baptist Church with her husband, Carlton. She was a faithful worker at Galilee and served often in the kitchen and tutoring young ones. Mary leaves to honor her memory, her husband, Carlton Edwards; sister, Edith Bragg of Richmond; two daughters: Chanda O'Loughlin and Sonya Bragg-Muhammad of Richmond; son-in-law, Anthony O'Loughlin; three grandchildren, AiJalon and Anjae' O'Loughlin and Colby Muhammad; Sista-Friend, Dolores Webster of Freeman; three step-children, Veronica Covington and Carleen & Rothel Edwards; two step-grandchildren, Kendyl and Chanler Covington and many other relatives and friends. Mary was a hero…No matter what pain she suffered, she always managed to smile brightly, handle her pain with grace and never let her battle become anyone else's. We will continue to remember her beautiful and cheerful spirit and the radiant light she shined so often on all who met, knew and loved her. The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 30th at Galilee Baptist Church in Kents Store, Virginia at 1 p.m.   Community viewing will begin at noon on Sunday, July 29th and end at 7 p.m. at Thomasson Watson Funeral Chapel.