Edna Reese Fitzgerald

Born in the beautiful countryside of Lunenburg County, Virginia, Edna was a light to everyone around her. She was raised on a picturesque and sprawling family farm amidst tobacco, corn, soybeans, fruit trees of every variety and livestock, and her early life was filled with the beauty and simplicity of nature. Her beloved parents, James T. and Mary Lee Reese, instilled in her love and resilience, but it was love for people that defined her life. A devout Christian who accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, Edna attended Saint Matthew’s Baptist Church in Kenbridge, Virginia as a child and graduated from Lunenburg High School. Edna worked briefly for Levi Strauss after high school, but soon joined her parents and siblings working full-time at the family farm. In 1960, her brother James (June) introduced her to the love of her life, Leroy Fitzgerald, who, like June’s then girlfriend Barbara, had moved to the area to teach at the high school. Youthful and exuberant, the two couples spent many hours together, enjoying music, dancing, cooking, and engaging in their preferred forms of civil disobedience. After their wedding, Leroy and Edna purchased a home in Kenbridge and began a family. Their son Ari was born in late 1962, their daughter, Sabra, a year later, and their son, Daryl, in 1967. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Washington, D.C. in order for Leroy to pursue his doctorate at Catholic University. In 1969, they moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland, where their home became a beacon for family and friends—a place of warmth, laughter, and legendary home-cooked meals. Edna’s life was filled with service. She volunteered often at her children’s schools and at her beloved Saint Margaret of Scotland Church, where she converted to the Catholic faith, was a member of the gospel choir, joined the senior citizens committee, and met the members of her ladies club, The Sophisticates. She was a caregiver, not only to her children and grandchildren, but to others. In fact, she provided professional childcare services for many families in her community. Edna was extensively involved in her neighborhood civic association, rarely missing a meeting. She canvassed for weeks at a time in Virginia in support of “her boyfriend” Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign in 2008, and weeks before her passing, proudly cast her ballot in the 2024 presidential election for Kamala Harris. The home she and Leroy built was a hub of activity and loving launch pad for numerous relatives and friends who moved to Washington to begin college or careers. She was known not only for her incredible meals, style, and relentless sense of humor, but also for her boundless optimism, love, and belief that everything would “turn out alright” with faith in God. Edna had an uncanny ability to keep up with the “comings and goings” of everyone who spent time with her. One of her many nicknames was “town crier” because she always knew the latest news before anyone else. (And she couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it.) When her grandchildren arrived, she and Leroy would regularly host the entire brood at their home for weekends or (during holidays) weeks at a time. These were cherished moments for her grandchildren—so much so that even though all are now adults, they still gather at her home for a “sleepover” at least once every Christmas. Edna had several close friends, many of whom were neighbors. Six surviving friends who held a special place in her heart were Josephine Price, Jobie Bell, Jean James, Iona Carter, Edith Hazelwood and Shirley Dixon. Edna’s legacy is a testament to her ability to see the good in everyone, inspire those around her, and uplift her community with kindness. Her family are reflections of the seeds of love she planted. Edna was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Leroy Fitzgerald; her parents James and Mary Reese and nine brothers and sisters: Piccolia Johnson, Thomas Reese, William Reese, Collin Reese, James Reese, Otis Reese, Alice Reese, Ruby Reese and Herman Reese. She will be forever cherished by her children, Ari (Maria) Fitzgerald, Sabra (Kevin) Lloyd, and Daryl (Stephanie) Fitzgerald; her grandchildren, Kiah (JaNathan) Crutchfield, Caleb Fitzgerald, Pilar Fitzgerald, Haley Lloyd, Kaylin Lloyd, Moriah Fitzgerald, Isel Fitzgerald, Timothy (Elizabeth) Fitzgerald, and Lourdes Fitzgerald; her great-grandchild, Noah Crutchfield; her brother, Bernell (Mary) Reese; her sister, Arlene (Walter) Lowery; her sisters-in-law Nellie Reese and Dorothy Reese and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of joy, resilience, and faith that will live on in all who were blessed to know her. Although we deeply mourn her passing, we celebrate the legacy of love and light she has left with each of us.

Tributes

Edna Reese Fitzgerald

August 12, 1934 - October 29, 2024