Edwina Josephine Vickers was born on January 6, 1926 (her birth was officially registered on the 25th) and went home to be with The Lord Jesus on October 9, 2021.  She was the 5th of 14 children born to Arthur and Esther Roye in Jamaica, West Indies.  Edwina, called "Jussette (Juss)" by her immediate family and "Gigi" by her grandchildren, was very outgoing with the strength and heart of a lion.  She played the piano but abruptly ended her lessons after her teacher hit her fingers with a ruler for playing incorrectly.  She was known as a "tom-boy" and was proud to be called a farmer's daughter.  She grew up on the mountains of Craig Head, Mandeville, and moved to Westmoreland after marrying William (Joss) Vickers on February 14, 1953, 3 months after they met.  She was the mother of 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls.  She wrote of herself… "I'm a very straight-forward person and I'm determined.  I was very strict with the family, loved all my children, but was very strict with them."

In Jamaica, Edwina was actively involved in politics, a member of the Peoples National Party, and whatever the assignment, she carried it out.  She immigrated to the United States in 1967, and her husband and children followed shortly after.  While raising a family and working full-time at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, she attended Medgar Evers College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Nursing.  Edwina worked for many years as a nursing supervisor in Brooklyn, N.Y. before retiring to Port St. Lucie, Florida in 1991.

In 1978 she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and committed her life to serving Him.  She unashamedly testified to all who would listen, of His sacrifice and the reality of eternity.  She exercised by walking 3 to 5 miles almost every day because it gave her quiet time to pray to her Heavenly Father.  After retiring, Edwina took art lessons and became an avid oil painter.  For everyone she led to the Lord Jesus, she gave them an oil painting of their choice.  She was very active in her church fellowship and for over 2 decades Edwina served as the coordinator for the Ladies Prayer & Share Ministry as well as the Prison and Jail Ministries at Highpoint Community Church (previously Calvary Assembly).  She preached and taught the Bible to women and men weekly and helped many enter rehabilitation programs after they served their time.  She was also a member of the Hospital and Nursing Home Visitation Ministries and went on Missions trips overseas. Some thought her brash, but she, being fueled by the truth of God's Word, and a desire that all come to the knowledge of what the Son of God did through His death, remained bold and steadfast to deliver the message of the Gospel.  She was also active in her local community and became a tutor to children in after-school programs and was a "mom" in her neighborhood who helped many families in need.

Edwina was very musical, loved dancing, sang and harmonized beautifully.  She taught her children and grandchildren that almost any household item can become an instrument used to praise the Lord including boxes, shoes, hair combs with plastic over them, pots, pans and even hitting empty Coke bottles with a pencil.  She kept time while walking with her walker and sang praises to the Lord until the last weeks of her life.  Her words were "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all things will be added."  When she answered the phone, her consistent greeting was "Grace, Mercy and Peace be with you."

Edwina was the last surviving child born to her parents. Her husband William and eldest daughter, Aslee, preceded her in death. She is survived by her Sons: David (Paulette), Alfee (Kim), Paul (Emma), & Ken (Debbie), Daughter: Kerry. Grandsons: Larry, Ripton, Omar, Jordan, Joel, Paul (PD), Israel, Aaron, and Noah.  Granddaughters: Danna, Sheree, Angel (Donnell), Talitha (David), Shannon (RayQuan) and Leyanna. A host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, adopted children and wonderful friends too numerous to mention.

The Vickers family would like to thank Marion, Francita, Anjuilette, Denisse, Orchid and Bernadette for the care and dignity you all showered on Gigi, making her laugh out loud, calling her "mom," and being patient when she'd play tricks on you (i.e.- locking you out the house while watching you squirm until she opened the door, or "escaping" to go for a walk when you were busy with Pop) LOL.  And many thanks to Dr. Eric Young who walked the journey with us.