Alva Lea Edwards' Obituary
She was born on May 25, 1937, in Pinellas, Florida, to Nancy Edith Hendrix Hawkins and Ralph Hawkins. She attended Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida, and after moving across the country with her mother, graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1956. Following graduation, she married Orville Elbert Edwards on December 2, 1960, and the couple relocated to Longview, Texas, where they settled happily on Lake Cherokee.
During her early years in East Texas, Alva Lea was active in numerous organizations, including local 4-H competitions, the Home and Community Service Advisory Council, the Elderville Extension Homemakers Club, and the Family Living Committee, a subcommittee of the Gregg County Home Economics Extension Office. At Annie’s Attic in Big Sandy, Texas, she served on the editorial staff and as a designer whose work appeared throughout the company’s craft publications. She created original crochet, tatting, jewelry, and plastic canvas designs and played a meaningful role in shaping Annie’s Attic’s creative style and national presence in needlecraft design. Later in life, she managed the office of the family business, Edwards Septic and Grease Trap Services, Inc., for more than 15 years.
Of all her commitments, her service at Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, meant the most to her. She taught Sunday School to young children for more than 30 years and assisted each year with Vacation Bible School, mission efforts, and other special events. She also led a preschool class every summer at Pine Springs Baptist Camp in Laneville, Texas.
Alva Lea was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love knew no bounds. She was a lover of frogs and a collector of Navajo jewelry, proudly wearing a ring on every finger. She could patch a hole in your jeans in less than 20 minutes and her vibrant smile and contagious laughter never went unnoticed. From traveling across the country on mission trips to washing dishes after every family meal, she consistently displayed the love of Christ to those around her. She lived boldly, unapologetically herself, and deeply loved her family and her church.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Longview, Texas on Saturday, December 20, 2025, starting at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in her memory to Unity Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 N. Tenth St., Longview, TX 75601, to support the ongoing mission work she faithfully served throughout her life.
She is survived by her sons, Bert Edwards and his wife Glenda, and William Edwards and his wife Andrea; her grandchildren, Kayla Edwards, William Edwards, Jr. and his wife Ali, Cody Edwards and his wife Megan, Jake Edwards and his wife Shelby, and Ben Edwards and his wife Kalyn; and her great-grandchildren, Henry, Grady, Charlotte, Arthur, and Naomi. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Edwards, and her brothers, Leland Hawkins and Carl Hawkins.
What’s your fondest memory of Alva Lea?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alva Lea?
Share a story where Alva Lea's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alva Lea you’ll never forget.
How did Alva Lea make you smile?