Ms. Bonnie Edwards

Bonnie Sharon Jarrett Edwards passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 28, 2025 in Greenville, NC after a long, hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s, at the age of 74. Psalm 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.” Bonnie was born on April 22, 1951 to Rev. Lester and “Deanie” Jarrett in Lexington, NC. Bonnie grew up in Ahoskie, NC and graduated from Ahoskie High School in 1969. Right after high school, she married Benjamin “Royce” Gaskins, Jr. who was in the US Coast Guard. When their son Dion was just 9 months old and while living in Corpus Christi, Texas, Royce was killed in a plane accident during a recovery mission. She and Dion then moved back to NC where she later met and married Paul Edwards. They settled in Washington, NC where their son Wesley Paul Edwards was born. With her dad as his mentor, Paul became a minister and then served as Associate Pastor under him in Sanford. A few years later, at the young age of 5, their beloved son Wesley passed away due to health complications since birth. They then pastored IPHC churches in Aberdeen, Hobucken, Rocky Mount, St. Pauls, Mount Olive, and Millennium. Paul then served as Associate Pastor at Carpenter’s Shop Church in Ahoskie, including a one year assignment as Lead Pastor in Belhaven. Bonnie was a devoted pastor’s wife, mom, Nana, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and worship leader. She had a beautiful voice that she shared at all the churches they pastored. After Paul passed away in 2019, she moved in with Dion and Kristy in Greenville in June 2020 and remained there until her passing. She loved to laugh, drink coffee, prepare wonderful meals in the kitchen, and play games with her grandchildren. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Rev. Lester Calvin Jarrett and Elma Dean “Deanie” Meekins Jarrett; husbands Benjamin “Royce” Gaskins, Jr. and Rev. Paul Edwards; son Wesley Paul Edwards; and brothers Lester Calvin “LC” Jarrett, Jr. and Gerald Ray Jarrett, as well as two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and a niece. Bonnie’s legacy continues through her family: son and daughter-in-love, Dion & Kristy Gaskins of Greenville, NC. She was Nana to grandchildren: Randa Gaskins, Micah Harris and husband Britt, Jaimyn Smothers and husband Josh, and Jarrett Gaskins and wife Alayna; great-grandchildren: Theo Gaskins, Haven Harris, Eden Smothers (and one more on the way!). She is also survived by sister Dawn Hill (Keith), Sisters-in-law: Yvonne Knox (Gordon), Sue Jarrett, Paula Edwards, and Shirley Edwards; brother-in-law Rev. Ben Edwards (Iris); and twelve nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Gentiva Hospice for their help and support the past seven months. A memorial service celebrating Bonnie’s life will be Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00am at Mercy Church, 127 NC 42, Ahoskie, NC 27910. There will be a time of visitation immediately following the service.

Ms. Bonnie Edwards

April 22, 1951 - July 28, 2025