Obituary of Cassie Laurita Edwards

Cassie Laurita Clayton Edwards was born to the late Elgie Clayton Sr. and Cassie M. Lewis Clayton on February 2, 1950 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She attended Douglas Schools and Sulphur Springs High School. She graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1968 as one of the first African Americans to be inducted into the National Honor Society in Hopkins County. After high school, she completed secretary trade school in Dallas, Texas. She worked for General Telephone (GTE) and Paris ISD before finding her “dream”job and retiring from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services after 20 years of service. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. She married the love of her life, Billy Wayne Edwards on November 5th of 1967. They shared 48 years of marriage, and to this union, seven children were born. As the daughter of a minister, her mother decided she needed piano lessons so that she could follow him and become his musician. Thus, the late Juanita Clayton took her under her wings and taught her to play. Becoming a musician for her father was just the beginning. In the early years, she was part of the Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church music team where Mr.George Crook was instrumental in helping sharpen her skills. She later played for Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Hospitality Church of God in Christ,and East Caney Missionary Baptist Church. At the time of her death, she was the musician for St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and Evening Chapel CME and gave piano lessons to those young and old that had a desire to learn. As a young teen, she had the desire to sing, but her voice was not fully developed. She witnessed other teens laugh at her as she tried her best. One day, she decided to pray to God to help her learn to sing, and God answered that prayer. He anointed her and blessed her to produce two published musical CDs, "A Word and a Song I and II" available on "I-Tunes" and "ReverbNation". She is also well-known for singing at various musicals, funerals, and church functions. Her work in the ministry also included teaching Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, and being a part of the Hopkins County Jail Ministry with Missionary Debra Goodson. Additionally, she received her Missionary license under Dr. M. Lavelle Hendricks on February 5, 2006, from the East Caney Institute of Missionary Training. She leaves to cherish her love and memory: Four sons, Billy Edwards Jr. and Michael Edwards, both of Dallas, TX, John Edwards (Sonya Balthazar) and Byron Edwards both of Sulphur Springs, TX; Two daughters, Sarah Edwards of Sulphur Springs, TX, and Marian (James) Ellis of Paris, TX; Two daughter-in-laws, Michelle Edwards of Sulphur Springs, TX, and Tiffany Edwards of McKinney, TX; Two sisters, Donna Washington, and Teresa Nelson (Alton) both of Sulphur Springs, TX; Four brothers, Vernon Clayton of Tyler, TX, Elgie Clayton, Jr. (Bonnie) and Jerry Clayton, all of Emory, TX, and Paul Clayton of Sulphur Springs, TX.She also leaves 9 grandchildren: Lakesha Edwards, Jasmine Edwards, Breyana Edwards, Ashley Ellis, Shedrell Ellis, Tyriekus Edwards, Marissa Ellis,Tyesha Edwards, and Mycah Edwards. She leaves 1 great grandchild, Cymia Ivery; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Daniel Edwards, and two grandchildren, Quinton Edwards and Amaya Edwards, one sister, Cynthia Perry as well as her father and mother-in-law, Willie B. Edwards, Sr. and Ora Lee Weaver Edwards.