Obituary of Michelle Antoinette Edwards

Michelle Edwards-Terry (Shelly) was born on October 5, 1965, in Kingston, Jamaica. She attended Seaside Primary School. In 1979 she relocated to Washington, DC where she continued her education at MacFarland Junior High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School where she graduated with honors. She began her professional career in the Federal Government in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy. She had over 23 years in public service. Shelly had an outstanding work ethic and was known to treat everyone as a friend, always going out of her way to say hello and to make others feel welcome. Michelle was the youngest of Velma and Ed’s three daughters. She is survived by her mother, Velma Edwards, her sisters Maxine Thompson and Delaney Ebo (Kester), her aunt, Enid Gould, her cousins, Verna (Eggiconna), Floreth (Courtney), Sandra, Andrea (Phillip), Kenneth, Keith, Oliver, Hugh, Otis, Nicholson, Joan, Patricia, Donnette, Racquel, Jermaine, Ramon, her nieces, Alysia, Sianna, Kimani, nephews Kester, Jr and Peyton. Along with her adopted children Michael and Jada. On October 31, 1981, Shelly was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thereafter, she dedicated her life to serving Jehovah to the best of her abilities. She always had a fruitful share in the ministry. She had the special privilege of assisting Sianna Burnett and Monique Brown to dedication and baptism. She remained faithful to her dedication until she fell asleep in death. All the qualities that we know and love about Shelly we can say that she got them from her heavenly father, Jehovah God. She always wanted to do what she knew would please and make Him happy. Shelly’s integrity was never optional. Over her final days she mentioned that she was tired and that she just wanted to make certain that she continued to make decisions that would not offend her loving Father, Jehovah. She wanted to be faithful to her end. She was comforted in knowing without a shadow of a doubt that her father would resurrect her in the new world where her sickness and pain would be a thing of the past. Despite the pain and sickness she was experiencing she was determined to maintain her integrity and that she did! Shelly developed many friendships among the Georgia Avenue, Petworth and College Park Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. One friendship stood out as different, this friendship with Leon. He instantly fell in love with her. On their first date he asked her to marry him. He called his dad and said, “Daddy, I met this girl and all she wants to do is go to the park and look at animals. She doesn’t want me to spend money on her!” His dad replied, “she is frugal…marry her”. He took the advice to heart and on September 28, 2002 he married the love of his life. This union forged a bond that not many are fortunate enough to experience. Their bond was strong, they were inseparable. Always side-by-side serving Jehovah. They enjoyed traveling and making memories together, especially their regular vacation trips to Hilton Head, SC. She was an outstanding example of the capable wife spoken of in the bible in Proverbs 31:10, she cared for Leon in an exceptional manner. On occasion you could bump into Shelly in the store getting special ingredients to make him any requested meal. This loving couple shared 17 years of marital happiness until he preceded her in death on November 13, 2019. Shelly’s family and close friends described her as mischievous and fun spirited, always ready to help in practical ways, a kindred connection, a loving, caring selfless soul, a strong link in the family tree. She was a babysitter to many not for compensation but rather her sincere love for children. She embraced children and was recognized as the “Fun Auntie”. She was considered kindhearted and the best cook. She would feed the masses “just because”. She enjoyed cooking and watching you eat her dishes. She was not selfish with her recipes she taught many to cook curry and jerk chicken and her fried potatoes. Her generosity spoke volumes, rather than make you a care package she would invite you to shop from her pantry. Shelly has left a mark on many and most importantly she has made a good name with Jehovah. A name that’s worthy of being called in accord with Job 14:15, He will call and Shelly will answer, and she will live at his command, in the new world to come! The family will receive friends at Advent Funeral & Cremation Services - Lanham on November 30, 2023 from 4:00PM - 8:00PM. A Memorial service will be held on December 1, 2023 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 6102 Ager Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782