Obituary of Evelyn Deloris Edwards

Evelyn D. Edwards, 63, a resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away peacefully on the morning of April 25, 2020. She was born in Greenville, Mississippi to the late Kattie L. Edwards. Even though Evelyn was born with Down’s Syndrome, she defied the odds of doctors and other specialists her entire life. She was a ray of sunshine to anyone that she met and was also extremely intelligent, humorous, had a remarkable memory and would always speak up for herself when necessary. One of her favorite things to say to her siblings and others was “I’m MaDear’s Baby” (as she was the youngest of 8). Evelyn also absolutely loved going to church. As a long-time member of Faith Temple Church as well as Greater Joy Church of God in Christ, she would always sit in the first row when she could to hear the “word” and to sing all of the songs sung by the choir, with her favorite being “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, I Got Him On My Mind”. Despite the doubts of many, Evelyn worked for many years at McKercher Rehabilitation Center helping keep the center clean and sanitary. On work days, she would ride the Kalamazoo Metro Connect bus by herself as well as prepare her lunch. In her spare time, she loved to listen to Michael Jackson, eat her favorite foods as well as receive a soothing hair wash and massage. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Lillie Coleman, mother Kattie Edwards, brother Willie Edwards as well as two sisters Johnnie Ross and Marilyn Edwards. She is survived by a brother Eli Edwards (of Lansing), three sisters, Junell Johnson (Al), Gloria Edwards and Lena Edwards, as well as a special nephew James Edwards (all of Kalamazoo, Michigan) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thanks to lifetime friends Rhoda Yutzy-Ryan and Cathy McNeil as well as the entire staff at Medilodge Nursing Home in Kalamazoo, Michigan.