Mary Louise Edmunds passed away on October 21, 2025 at PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Sarasota. During those final days, she was surrounded by, comforted and cared for by her family and friends. Mary Louise was a graduate of Book High School and a resident of the Newtown Community for more than 60 years. She was a Preschool Teacher at Helen Payne Day Nursery for 2 years. And then the Registrar at Booker High School for 33 years. She raised 2 children and was an active member of the community. She was the secretary and treasurer of the Amaryllis Park Community Association. She volunteered at the North Sarasota Library in the reading room, assisting students with homework, tutored in the reading program and worked as the library assistant.

She also helped organize and produce a pictorial display on the Preservation of the African-American‘s Past and Present Life in Sarasota County. This was displayed during Black History Month at City Hall of Sarasota and Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. She was a research interviewer for the University of Michigan’s Black Studies Project on community involvement. She had always wanted to go to college, and when she retired, she went back to school at the State College of Florida and got her AA degree. Later, she got her license as a Cosmetologist from the Wilford School of Cosmetology and then ran a small business out of her home.

She married Calvin Edmunds and moved to Lakewood Ranch, in Bradenton, Florida. She continued to be involved in community activities by volunteering with her husband at the polls on election day. During their retirement, they also went on cruises together and continued to enjoy their golden years.

She will be loved and remembered by her children, Sandranette E. Lewis and Samuel W. Lewis, and her daughter-in-law, Denise Lewis; her sisters Mary Frances Douglas and Mary Beatrice Douglas; and a host of grands, great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and loving friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00pm-8:00pm on Tues., November 11, 2025 at Jones Funeral Home. Services for the celebration of her life will be held on Wed., November 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Jones Funeral Home, 4005 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34234. She will be interned with her beloved husband at the Sarasota National Cemetery at a later date. For those who would like to send flowers, they will be appreciated, Mary Louise loved flowers and plants. For those who would like to make a donation to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society of Sarasota, please do so. Funeral arrangements by Jones Funeral Home.