Helena (McIver) Edwards

Helena McIver Edwards, age 88 of St. Albans, NY, transitioned into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at WakeMed Hospital, Cary, NC.

Helena McIver Edwards was born on February 4,1932 to William Reaves and Helen Gibson McIver.  She was the eighth of nine children including: three brothers, William, Charles, and Wayman; and five sisters, Vivian, Emma, Grace, Nancy, and Willie Mae.  From her youth, Helena can be described as one who followed the rules, worked hard, and was highly responsible.

The importance of education was stressed in the McIver home, and under the guidance of her parents, Helena excelled academically. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class at W.B. Wicker High School (formerly, Lee County Training School).  She attended North Carolina College at Durham (now, North Carolina Central University), from which she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education. Helena went on to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University Teacher’s College, earning the Master of Arts degree in Education, while also working full-time as a microbiologist with the New York City (NYC) Department of Health.  In order to create a better balance between her work, family life, and desire to help others, Helena made the decision to leave her position with the NYC Department of Health and pursue a Master of Arts degree in Counseling at Queens College.

Helena successfully attained three New York State licenses in Health Education, Special Education, and Guidance Counseling.  She proceeded to work many years as a guidance counselor with the Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) and later with the NYC Department of Education.  In retirement, Helena served as adjunct professor at St. John’s University in the Teacher Education program, where she was given the honor and opportunity to help train the next generation of teachers.

Helena was a kind and loving person. She worked diligently to embody her parents’ motto, “Try to be a blessing to others and help somebody along the way.”  Her commitment to serving others, along with her passion for education, led her to pursue membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  She was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter of the sorority in 1951.  These values expanded to include her devotion to the Scholarship Committee of the Omega Wives of Long Island, where she served as Scholarship Committee Chair for many years.

Helena’s professional life was a reflection of the strong religious foundation of her youth.  She grew up attending St. Paul AME Zion Church in Cumnock, NC.  After her marriage to John W. Edwards, of Chesterfield, SC, she joined St. Albans Congregational Church in 1965 and, subsequently, served with tireless dedication as a Deacon until her move to North Carolina in 2014. 

Helena and John were married for nearly fifty-two years and had one daughter, Trina Edwards-Williams. She and John opened their home to several of their nieces and nephews seeking to expand their opportunities for academic achievement.  She also lovingly cared for several of her neighbors in St. Albans, Queens, NY by offering transportation for doctor’s visits, meal preparation, and gifting friends and family members with her wonderful home baked cakes. 

Helena Edwards departed this life on March 31, 2020. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Trina Williams (Chris); her grandchildren, who were truly the apples of her eye, Christopher and Morgan of Fuquay-Varina, NC; her sister, Mae Eccles of Atlanta, GA; and sister-in-law, Lottie Ruth Edwards of Charlotte, NC.

Helena also leaves to mourn nieces and nephews who loved her and will always cherish the memories they shared including: Houston Johnson, Jr., MD of Holland, OH, Penelope Moore, DSW of New York, NY,  Reneé Morgan of Tallahassee, FL, Roger McIver (Oma Lynn), Kenneth McIver (Marilyn) of Sanford, NC, Valerie Carey (Emerson, JD); Karla Taylor, PharmD, (Earl), and Beverly Register (Brian, MD) of Atlanta, GA; William Lindsey of Charlotte, NC, William Edwards, III of Martinsville, VA  and Cheryl Edwards of Atlanta, GA; as well as great-nieces and nephews, W. Gerard Morgan, James Wesley Moore, Khalyn Solomon, SLPD (Garrett), Brooklyn Burel, Simone Carey, Nicole Register, Matthew Register, Wanda Johnson, Wyman Lindsey, Clinton Wilcox, Kenneth Edwards, Trinity Matthews, EJ Eaton and many other relatives and friends.

The graveside service will be for immediate family.

Professional Services Entrusted to: Knotts Funeral Services, Sanford