Edwina Lafayette Forney-Thomas

Edwina’s life journey began on January 19, 1965, in Marion, North Carolina to Ralph J. and Cora L. Forney. She was a loving child with a strong determination to do what she saw her older siblings do. Her favorite spot to go to sleep was in her daddy’s arms with his shirt collar in one hand and a finger in her mouth.

Edwina attended the public schools at the beaches and played softball and basketball for Mayport Middle School and Fletcher High School. She was a 1983 graduate at Duncan U. Fletcher High School. After graduation, she continued her education at Florida State Community College in Jacksonville, Florida.

During her teenage years, she was known as the neighborhood babysitter because of her love for children. She was a long-time employee at Winn-Dixie and worked at Walgreens Drug Store until her health failed.

In 1990, she was united in marriage to Andrew Scott Thomas and was blessed with three children. Edwina joined The Holy Church of the Living God Revival Center under the pastorship of the Late Bishop Gladys Golden. She served as a member of the choir and as a deaconess.

Edwina loved everyone and everyone loved her. She was outspoken and straight-forward. We all loved her, but God loved her best.

Edwina’s journey ended at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Edwina was preceded in death by her godsons, Isaac Brown and Breion Long; her brother-in-law, Mose Thomas, III; and her father-in-law, Mose Thomas, II.

Cherishing her life is her loving and devoted husband of thirty years, Andrew Scott Thomas; children, Andrew S. Thomas II, Nicholas F. Thomas (Janee), and Jalicia T. Thomas; grandchildren, T’Ana Thomas, Asha Thomas, Zyaire Thomas, Jalani Thomas, Samya Rhone, Keyon Thomas, and Ka’Marley Thomas; extended son, Bubba Wagoner; extended daughter, Trina Wise; parents, Ralph J. and Cora L. Forney; siblings, Derwin Forney (Anna), Felicia Golden (Robert), Tyrone Forney, Quentin Forney (Marjorie), and Felita Forney; mother-in-law, Dorothy J. Thomas; siblings-in-law, Dr. Vonna Milligan (Ronald), Samuel Thomas, Lillie Sullivan, Philip Thomas (Zenobia) and John Thomas (Carol); a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Southside is serving the Family.

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