Mildred "Milli" Edwards

Mildred “Milli” Louvenia Edwards was born in Wilson, NC on February 3, 1943. She passed away on October 11, 2010 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, MD. At an early age, she moved to Allentown, PA with her parents Ludie Lee & Lula Pearl Edge, siblings William Henry Edwards, and Robert Lee Edwards who proceeded her in death. After graduating from Dieruff High in Allentown, she lived for several years in New York City hoping to get into show business.She was the first Miss Black New York during her stay there. She was an active member off Abyssiniann Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and was active in all Young Adult Programs, the world renowned Senior Choir and continued to give support until her passing. Milli moved to Washington, DC in 1969. After graduating from Strayer Business College, she was employed as a secretary with various organizations. In 1975, she was employed by the community based Shaw Project Area Committee (Shaw PAC). Milli was such a natural leader that in September 1985 she was elevated to the position of Executive Director of Shaw PAC and given the responsibility for providing management and leadership to the organization. She held this position until Shaw PAC closed in 1993. Some of her accomplishments in the Shaw area included efforts to save the Anthony Bowen YMCA and the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, restoration of the Kennedy Playground, hosting annual Thanksgiving and Christmas feast for senior citizens and helping youth and residents in the areas of job placement, family relocation, education, cultural and recreational enrichment. Milli received many awards for her work with Shaw PAC. In 1986, she was honored with the Mayor’s Community Service Award for her outstanding dedication and service to the residents of the District of Columbia. It was at this time that Mayor Marion Barry proclaimed September 5th as Mildred Edwards Day in DC. Milli also served as a Ward 2 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for many years. When Milli moved to Ward 4, she continued her community service by becoming actively involved in the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association. She also served as Block Captain for her neighborhood. Milli joined Shiloh Baptist Church after she moved to Washington and sang in the Senior and Gospel Choirs. She was a member of the Helping Hands Circle as well as being the Chairperson for the Annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution Drive at Shiloh. She traveled with the Senoir Choir to the Holy Land in 1988 where they performed for Pope John Paul II. As a member of the Shiloh Gospel Choir,she performed on NBC’s “Christmas in Washington”. Her active support for education including fundraising for the Thompson Elementary School, Shaw Junior High School and the Mighty Men of Morehouse is legend. Milli is survived by daughter, Sonita A. Shaw of FL; Granddaughter Michel A. Shaw of DC; great-grandson, Jayden Butler-Meyers of DC; sisters, Odessa Mack of PA and “Stormy” Bonner of NY; nephews William Edwards Jr. of PA, Michael Hutchinson of PA, Eugene Edwards of NC & Jason Edwards

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Mildred "Milli" Edwards

February 3, 1943 - October 11, 2010