Obituary: Edna Vera Flowers Edens, 91, of Middletown

From Doolittle Funeral Services

Edna Vera Flowers Edens, 91, of Middletown. Edna was born on September 3, 1925 in Johns, North Carolina and was the second of 11 children to the late Fairley and Ophelia Blue Flowers. Along with her parents, Edna was predeceased by three brothers, William, Winston and Fairley Jr. Flowers and three sisters, Gladys Butts, Marcella Rondon and Roberta Flowers.

Edna graduated high school from Laurinburg Institute in Laurinburg N.C. on May 21, 1943. She moved to Brooklyn, NY and married in 1948. In 1962, Edna moved to Middletown, CT as a single mother with her two sons Stanley and Ronald Edens. She took college courses in New York and attended night school while working in Middletown. Edna earned her Associates in Science Degree at Middlesex Community College in 1978.

Edna was employed at Connecticut Valley Hospital as a Mental Health Care Worker and excelled to a Mental Health Specialist during her tenure of 28 years. She was compassionate with her clients. Edna loved her line of work. She enjoyed caring for individuals with special needs.

Edna retired in 1989 but continued to provide help and support to her community. She became a local entrepreneur! She found it meaningful to spread her love for fashion by selling African attire and her signature wigs. Investing in property was another interest of Edna's. She purchased houses, rented her homes and eventually sold multiple properties in Connecticut and Florida.

Edna's love for God kept her heavily engaged in the church. She was a dedicated member of Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church in Middletown for more than 25 years. She was a committed member of the Pastor's Aide Board and extremely proud of her different roles within the church. Her responsibilities included Class Leader and Treasurer of the District Lay Council and Local Lay Council. Edna was also an impressive life-long member of the N.A.A.C.P and was presented with prestigious awards.

Edna was very generous. She donated to dozens of civic health and safety related non-profit and political organizations. She often traveled with family and friends on cruises or tropical destinations for vacations. Edna enjoyed gardening, sharing and creating different handcrafted treasures and planning tag sales to invite the community over to socialize.

Her greatest joy of all was spending time with her family. Most knew her as Meme. This nickname is everyone's favorite to say but more importantly, it represents a delicate Queen who loved unconditionally and shared her affection with everyone. Her passion to help people has sculpted her family tremendously and will be carried on throughout future generations.

She is survived by her two sons, Stanley (Pat) and Ronald (Debra); seven grandchildren Lisa, Marcus, Alacia, Jamaar, Aleema, Zakiya and Rashida; 11 great grands, Na'im, Nia, Eden, Alexis, Trey, Taja, Jaylen, Tahirah, Asiana, Altanazia, Leeayshia; three sisters, Bernice Butts, Ophelia Woodson, Berdine Flowers; and her brother Lacy Flowers.

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