Emma Lee Grimstead Edwards, 96, died on Friday July 14, 2017. She was born in Mathews County, Virginia at her mother's childhood home on May 14, 1921. She was the daughter of Ella B. Jagger Grimstead and Garland Lee Grimstead.
After graduating high school in Norfolk, she went on to attend business school and later began a long civil service career. She retired from her position as Director of Labor-Employee Relations and Services at NAS Oceana in 1987 after 38 years of service.
Emma Lee had a passion for music, learning to play piano at an early age. Throughout the 1950s and most of the 1960s she was the organist for Norview Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, before moving to Virginia Beach.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Winston Edwards in 1971. Emma Lee is survived by two sons, Donald Brandon Edwards (Cheryl- deceased) and Bruce Winston Edwards (Jean), both of Virginia Beach. She also leaves behind four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday July 19, 2017, in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad in Virginia Beach would be greatly appreciated. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.bwfosterfuneralhome.com.