Virginia Edith Edwards

Virginia Edith Edwards, 87, passed away peacefully in her Louisville, Kentucky home on May 6, 2022. Virginia was born January 17, 1935 and was the daughter of the late William Stanley Hilbert and the late Annie Edith Hilbert. She was preceded in death by her son, Timmie Lee Edwards and her grandchildren, Michael Ray Edwards and Andrea Lynn Edwards-McMullan. She was also preceded in death by six sisters and five brothers.

Virginia fell in love at the young age of 16 to Raymond Howard Edwards. He spotted her at the local movie theater in Spencer County, Ky. He was immediately intrigued by her bright eyes and her smile, but she was not interested. He persisted and a courtship began consisting of many other movie nights. They fell in love over old Westerns and classic movies like "Lullaby of Broadway." Raymond knew Virginia "Jenny" was the one and he wasted no time. After some persuasive convincing of Jenny's father, Raymond had the approval he needed to marry the love of his life. It took some creative documentation of age, but they were legally wed December 29, 1951.

Raymond began serving in the United States Army during the Korean war soon after the Justice of the Peace declared them husband and wife. During this time Jenny learned that she was expecting their first child, Donnie. She would spend her first few months as a mother without the in-person support of her husband. To some, this would perhaps be a challenge, but if anything came natural to Jenny it was motherhood. She already had so much practice as the natural "mother hen" of her siblings and she proudly toted her first niece Carol around everywhere she went. Carol was followed by Mary, Martha and dozens of other nieces and nephews who loved to spend time with Aunt Jenny playing pranks, laughing, sharing special moments and finding comfort when times were hard.

Donnie made her officially a mother- the role she was born to play! After Donnie was born and Raymond returned, Jenny gave birth to five more children. Billy was born in 1955 and Jenny loved that he was the soft and sweet to Donnie's rough and tumble. After Bill, the couple received a total shock when they learned they'd be blessed with twins in 1958. The sound of two heartbeats in the doctor's office overjoyed Jenny. She took delight in the novelty of twins at the time and dressed them similarly for years, but always loved them for their unique qualities. She loved the cut-up Timmie grew to be with his one-of-a-kind giggle. As Tommy grew he became her go-to for hair styling and she trusted him with her locks above anyone else. In 1966, Jenny delivered her first baby girl, Vatina. She was so excited to dress Vatina in frilly dresses and dote on her, she was even known to call her "my special one." She may have been the "special one," but in 1972 Jenny found out she was very unexpectedly…expecting! Vatina would have to share some of her stage. The New Year would bring a new baby and Jenny was not thrilled. She was nearing 40 and she was undoubtedly stretched thin by mothering five other children. But, Kevin arrived despite the angst and she knew "her baby" was meant to be a part of this world. She loved his blue eyes and blonde hair and told everyone (even as that baby approached his late 40s) how beautiful he was.

Raymond and Jenny had a full life of rowdy kids in a small, but perfect, house on Payne Street in Louisville. As the kids grew older, the house got even smaller - Billy gave them the gift of their first grandchild in 1978, Andrea. Andrea was just the tip of the grandchildren iceberg! They went on to be blessed with eight more grandchildren through the years. Then, as those grandchildren grew and started lives of their own they were blessed with 13 great grandchildren!

But whether a direct child, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, a grandchild or a great grandchild - you likely have similar memories of your time with Jenny. She placed the utmost importance on simply being together. That meant board games at the kitchen table, family camping trips, fried chicken Sundays and countless Christmas Eve's with the living rooms filled with presents.

She ooozed kindness and love and she taught every single one of her own how to love and how to feel loved.


Raymond and Jenny's love story started by watching movies, but really, it should be made into one. As of her death, Raymond and Jenny had been married 70 years. That small Payne Street house has seen children come and go… and come back again. But, that is where their love story unfolded and where she was able to rest, surrounded by the love, laughter and comfort of her beloved family (her proudest accomplishment and greatest joy) as she left this world.

Jenny is loved by everyone who knew her. She is survived by the love of her life, her darling, Raymond Howard Edwards; children, Donnie Edwards (Robbye), Bill Edwards, Tommy Edwards, Vatina Selby (Mark), Kevin Edwards; 7 grandchildren and their spouses and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Newcomer Cremation, Funerals & Receptions East Louisville Chapel (235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, KY 40243).

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at Newcomer Cremation, Funerals & Receptions, East Louisville Chapel (235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, KY 40243). To view the service live on Wednesday please click here.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Jenny's memory be made to Hosparus Health as the associates employed there made Jenny's final days much easier.