Martha Edwards' Obituary
MARTHA NICHOLAS EDWARDSAugust 9, 1931 - September 1, 2022GOD GAVE HER A SONG!!!On September 1, 2022, Martha Nicholas Edwards was called to take her place in the Celestial Choir. She joins a host of family and friends in that great musical aggregation.She was born on August 9, 1931 to the late Earl Joseph and Sarah J. Robinson Nicholas. (Third of Eight Children) Martha received her earliest training in the Church and its music from her parents. Through her mother, she learned the music of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at Young's Chapel AME. Her father introduced her to the Baptist Church musical liturgy at the historic First Baptist Church. After the death of her mother, Martha joined the First Baptist Church. At the age of fourteen, she became an organist at First Baptist.Her paternal grandfather, Samuel R. Nicholas, made certain all of his grandchildren received formal musical training. He enlisted the services of "Miss Francis", a diminutive woman of East European background, who taught classical music to many "colored children" as they were known at that time. Martha excelled in her private music studies and became an accomplished pianist and organist in the classical tradition.Her gift made room for her to play throughout the Tri-State area and throughout many states. She shared this gift with many denominations, Catholic, Methodist, Congregational, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Greek Orthodox, among others.She participated in ecumenical choir activities in the Huntington Community with many of her peers and friends. First Baptist Church participated in a special pulpit exchange fellowship where pastors preached at other churches (typically in the downtown area). This included exchange of church musicians. She always looked forward to sharing in this fellowship.As a student, she fine-tuned her vocal and instrumental talents at the historic Douglass High School in Huntington. She attended W.V State University for a brief time. In addition to her remarkable instrumental gift, Martha had a rich melodious contralto voice. Even though she referred to herself as a contralto, her range stretched when needed to the soprano range. Long after graduating from Douglass, she was called back by her friend, the late Lenora Lewis Fulwood, the Douglass Music Teacher/Director to accompany the school choral groups.She served as a Minister of Music and Church Organist at First Baptist for over a Half Century. When asked how she could spend over fifty (50) years in the music department, she did not waiver in her answer. She thought of First Baptist Church as a foster parent because at age 12, she lost her own mother. She said the church gave her support and encouragement, so she felt a life of service would demonstrate her never-ending gratitude for that special care.She retired from the State of West Virginia Job Service Department (Formerly known as the Department of Employment Security)Martha was married to the late Freddie M. Edwards for over 65 years. Their five children, Donata L. Edwards, Esq., Nowell V. (Bill) Edwards, Sara L. Edwards, Kimberly Edwards-Hall, M.D. (Carl), and Joseph T. Edwards, (Claudia) are left to cherish her memory. Her Grandchildren, Taylor Edwards, Jacqueline Edwards Massie, (Jacob), Carl Matthew Hall, Nicholas V. Edwards, and Tanisha Wooding held a special place in her heart. Recently, she was blessed with visits from her great-grandchildren, Malachi, Adria Brielle and Staley.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six siblings. Her sole surviving sibling is John Henry Nicholas. She leaves nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of friends and of course, her First Baptist Church family to celebrate her life."Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, I tell myself. I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath." Psalm 146:1-2 (LAB)Funeral Service will be held at 1 P.M. Friday, September 16, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Huntington 801 6th Ave. Burial will follow the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church Condolences may be expressed to the family at ehallfuneralhome.com.
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