Yvonne “Vonnie” Beaver Edwards, 93 of Williamsburg, VA went to be with her Lord and Savior for eternal rest with family by her side on February 21, 2024. Vonnie was born October 10, 1930 to Ralph H. Beaver and Ethel Beck Beaver of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

 She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, resilience, sense of humor, enthusiasm for life, home-cooked meals, and devotion to her family.

 Vonnie graduated from Huntingdon High School and Altoona School of Commerce and served her first job as an Executive Secretary at Juniata College in PA. She moved to Richmond, VA in 1951 where she worked as an administrative assistant at Miller and Rhodes. In 1953 she married her sweetheart S. Wallace Edwards Jr., former second-generation President and CEO of S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc (Edwards Virginia Smokehouse). Together they raised two children in Surry, VA. Although her most cherished role was as a stay-at -home mother to her children, Vonnie contributed to the success of the family’s country ham business by serving as secretary and treasurer of the corporation until her retirement in 1962. Vonnie also published a cookbook in 1995 to celebrate the company’s 70th anniversary titled, A Memorable Collection of Treasured Recipes from Family, Friends and Customers.

 As a resident of Surry County, VA for over 50 years, Vonnie was very active in many civic and service organizations including the Surry Garden Club, the Thomas Rolfe Branch of the APVA (now known as Preservation Virginia), Chairman of Crafts in the first Pork, Peanut and Pine festival, Surry County Historical Society, member of the Williamsburg Chapter of the DAR and former board member of the Retired Clergy Housing Corporation of the Virginia Methodist Conference. Vonnie was dedicated to serving her Christian Faith through the Surry United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for 40 years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women’s group in both Surry and Williamsburg.

 In 2006 Vonnie and her husband, Wallace, retired to Williamsburg Landing in Williamsburg, VA. The family sincerely thanks “The Landing” and in particular Marie Peterson, her daily care giver, for their support and care for Vonnie over the years and especially in her last days of life.

 A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, S. Wallace Edwards Jr., daughter Amy Edwards Harte; brother Donald L. Beaver; sister-in-law Becky Beaver, sister-in-law Oneita E. Johnson; brother-in-law H.B. Johnson.

 She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son, Samuel W. Edwards III and his wife Donna of Surry, VA; granddaughter, Stephanie E. Sutton (Tom) of Williamsburg, VA; grandson, Samuel W. Edwards IV (Gabi) of Williamsburg, VA; and her adored great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Charlotte Sutton. Other survivors include many beloved nieces and nephews, Donny Beaver, Cindy Simpson (Bob), David Johnson (Patsy), Diane J. Price (Dan) and Godchildren, Sandy Judkins Gutierrez and Martha Brown Staudnour.

On March 3, 2024 the Edwards family will receive friends for visitation at Surry United Methodist Church at 12:45pm prior to the funeral service at 2 pm with Pastor Ray Rowland presiding and Pastor Gary Edens assisting. A graveside service will follow at Old St. Luke’s cemetery in Smithfield, VA.

 In lieu of flowers for Vonnie’s memorial service please consider a donation to The Surry United Methodist Church, The Surry Historical Society, or The Surry Volunteer Fire Department.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.