Melinda Walker Edwards

Melinda Walker Edwards, 83, of Umatilla, Florida, passed away on May 1, 2025. She was born in Newport News, Virginia, to Wilbur and Audrey Walker, followed a few years later by her sister, Jane. Her dad was a shipbuilder, and her mom was a piano teacher. Both she and Jane grew up ballet dancing and playing the piano. During college, she met Wally at a New Year’s Eve party, and it was love at first sight for both of them. They were married July 29, 1963. They lived in Maryland where their children Carter and Melanie were born. Then their family of 4 moved to Texas, California, and finally Florida. Melinda dedicated her life to her family and her faith. As a devoted homemaker, she raised her son and daughter, and then at the age of 47, only months away from being an empty-nester, she decided to raise 4 more children who were under the age of 4! Emily, Susie, Chris and John David were officially adopted in 1992. Melinda dedicated herself to bringing all of her children up in a loving, Christian home. She was present at every activity they participated in and as many of her grandkids’ activities as she could. Her passion for music and nurturing guided her to lead children's choirs at various churches throughout her life. Together, she and Wally led many missions trips to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and several other countries as well as ministering to senior adults at First Baptist Church of West Hollywood. After moving to Central Florida, she became an active member of Bay Street Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and played a vital role in starting the Celebrate Recovery program with her husband. Additionally, she served as a volunteer counselor at Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic, offering support to women with unplanned pregnancies, and as a mentor for at-risk students at a local elementary school. She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Hansel “Wally” Edwards, along with her children: Carter (Kari) Edwards, Melanie Edwards, Emily (Will) Evans, Susan (Camilo) Torrentes, Christopher (Jennifer) Edwards, and John David Edwards. Melinda also leaves behind 16 grandchildren (Phillip, Meghan, Malari, Brandon, Andrew, Mikayla, Evaristo Jr., Will, Audrey, David, Maci, Nolan, Lincoln, Theo, Haislee, and Raeghan) and 2 great-grandchildren (Oliver and Jack), who will fondly remember her love and influence. A celebration of Melinda's life will be held at Bay Street Baptist Church in Eustis on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The family invites friends to join them for visitation at Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. They have asked that in loving memory of their beautiful wife and mother, you celebrate her life by wearing colors that reflect the joy and light she shared with us all. Memorial donations may be made to Life’s Choices of Lake County at https://giving.prolifeprosper.com/cause/details/general-ygjqc or Bay Street Baptist Church’s Missions fund at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YR02/campaign/C-15HV0. An online guestbook is available at www.hardenpauli.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis, Florida.