Edwards, Benita Joan (Compton) d. 2015

EDWARDS, COMPTON, WALKER, ALSTON

Posted By: Teddy Van Hoosen
Date: 1/21/2015 at 17:54:20

NEWPORT NEWS - Benita Joan Edwards, 72, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 19, 2015. She was born in Findlay, Ohio, to the late Rev. Benson B. Compton and Rebecca Walker Compton. She was a graduate of Newton (Iowa) High School and Drake University with a degree in Music.

She and Norman R. Edwards were married by her father on Dec. 23, 1961. She taught school while Norman attended Iowa State and Creighton Universities, earning his medical degree. The couple moved to the D.C. area for his residency and in 1973 moved to Newport News where he became a prominent OB/GYN physician with Benita by his side. Upon Norman's sudden death in October, 2010, she was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Rebecca, and special friend, Ken Dudley.

As an active member of her community, Benita has served as Chairman of the Maryland Young Republicans, President of the Beverly Hills Garden Club, Council Member of the Peninsula Garden Club Council, Chairman of the Newport News Arts Commission, the Peninsula ASPO, member of the Medical Wives Auxiliary, was a co-founder of the Friends of Music at Christopher Newport University, and member of the USS Newport News Liaison Committee to name a few. She was also active in several Newport News churches including North Riverside Baptist, Orcutt Baptist and most recently, First Baptist. While at Orcutt, she founded and directed an ensemble choir called Son's Harmony. There was virtually no challenge too great for her to achieve. Anyone who knew Benita, though, knew that her greatest passion was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Noel Edwards, of Newport News; her brother, Don Compton, of Birmingham, Ala.; her niece, Vangie Alston, of Newport News; and nephew, Brent Compton, of Birmingham.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m., with a memorial service following at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, at First Baptist Church. A reception will be held after the service at the church in Payne Hall. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailypress/obituary.aspx?pid=173907932#sthash.VSwvv3VO.dpuf ~ The Legacy.com