Mrs. Alice Melvina Edwards

Obituary For Mrs. Alice Melvina Edwards

Alice M. Edwards, (Mom, Mother, Miss Alice, Mema), entered glory and into the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 18, 2025.

Born August 7, 1935 in Cordele, Georgia, she and mother, Bertha Shack Melville, moved to Trenton, NJ, May of 1940. Alice, attended school in Trenton, was a 1954 graduate of Trenton Central High School. She attended Central State University, Ohio, for two years and matriculated and graduated with a BA Degree from The College of New Jersey, formally Trenton State College.

Alice taught Elementary grades, Special Education and specialized as a District Reading Teacher in Trenton for 33 years and 1 year in Willingboro, NJ. In 1994, Alice, was honored by Trenton, and the NJ State Assembly and Governor Christine Whitman (with others) as one of the Governors’ Teacher of the Year Award. A former member of TEA, NJEA, and NEA, Alice held membership in NAACP, National Association of College Women and the Red Hat Society. Alice, a proud Fifty-Year Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was a devoted member of the High Point Alumnae Chapter.

While teaching, Alice became a bonded IATA Travel Agent. She and husband Fred, traveled to 16 countries, on 5 continents, 12 Caribbean cruises and visited 38 US States by air, car and train. She founded Travel Encounters Ministry at Alpha Baptist Church. She designed and escorted many members of the Church to Ghana, Senegal, Israel, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Alice accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at age 13 at Mt. Zion AME Church in Trenton, NJ. After many years living worldly, she re-dedicated her life and renewed her faith serving the Lord at Bethlehem AME Church, Burlington, NJ. She was Water Baptized, at Christ Baptist Church in 1994 and re-Baptized in the Jordan River, Israel 2010. In 2000 Alice and Fred joined Alpha Baptist Church and became active members. Ministries included: President of Adult Choir, Trustee Board, Sisters in Christ, Bible Study, Scholarship Committee, Pastor Aid, Building Committee, Pastor’s Compensation, and the Anniversary Journal in 2005, 2010, and 2015. In 2017, Alice was voted ‘Mother of the Church’.

In 2020, Alice relocated to High Point, NC. She attended Harvest Church until joining Pastor Ronald/Joyce Diggs of Word of Life Tabernacle in High Point, NC on October 15, 2023.

Alice was predeceased by her Devoted Mother, Bertha Melville, Precious Father, Grover Key, Loving Husband, Frederick Edwards, brother, Grover Key Jr. Left to mourn are, devoted sons: Marc (Dianela) and Kamaluddin (Maqboulah) Edwards. Grandchildren: Janae, Sydney, Shanté, Jannah Alice, Skyler, Peyton, Campbell, Danniyah and Abdul- Rahman. Brother: Johnny Key (CA), Sisters: Cenellia/Robert Jones, Doris Strickland, and Vera and Williett Key. Cousins: Loretta Robinson, Maxine Shack and James Jessie. God Children: Howard Holden Jr., Terrance Scotton and Kevin Williams.

Alice was blessed by (and Mema to) Rev. Danny/Linda Scotton, Rev. Andrew/Amanda Bermudez, Rev. Levi/Jurudo Martin and Pastor and Spiritual Guide Rev. Ronald/Joyce Diggs. Adult adopted family Alice adored, loved and respected: Betty McNair, Candice James, Loretta Pickens, Yvonne/Paul Johnson, Linda/Sam Carruth, Micheal/Dorothy Scott, Comfort Green, and Roberta Ricks-Gardner. NC Family: Emma/Robert Sullivan, Donna/John Pinckney, Helene/Bob Durham, Doreen/Mark Stevens, Jackie/George Fouts and Christine/Ron Froats.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. at Word of Life Tabernacle Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Omega Omega service will be held at the church from 11: 30 a.m. There will be a small service on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at T.L. Hutton Family & Friends Funeral Service Chapel. Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Burlington, NJ. There will be no Public Viewing at the Funeral Home.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.

LOVINGLY SUBMITTED