About Us
The Founder, Charles Wesley Edwards, was born in Caroline County, Virginia, in 1875. “Charlie”, as he was affectionately known, was a visionary and had a heart to serve his fellowman. He sought to serve his community by opening a general store in Bowling Green, which burned down in the great fire that occurred on Easter morning in 1900. Undaunted and determined to provide African-Americans service with Dignity and Honor, at the age of 25 years old, Charlie founded the C.W. Edwards Funeral Home in 1920, which not only provided funeral services but also ambulatory services. Among the business community, Charlie was well respected and known as an astute businessman. Today, his name is still mentioned in the community regarding his generous contributions and donations made to various causes. After 50 years of dedicated service to his community, Charlie passed away in 1950 from labor to reward at the age of 75. The business was passed on to his daughter, Mary Austin Edwards, who carried on the tradition of providing caring service to the community.
On February 16, 1946, Mary married Joseph E. Adams, Jr., a young and handsome soldier who was from Philadelphia, PA, who was stationed at Fort A.P. Hill. Joe was immediately embraced by Charlie and was immediately employed by him both at his gas station and the funeral home. Upon his discharge from the Armed Services, Joe took an interest in the funeral business and saw the need to continue the legacy that C.W. Edwards started. Joe enrolled at Echols Mortuary School in Philadelphia, PA, to become a Funeral Director and Embalmer. After completion of Mortuary school and after passing the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors' and Embalmers' exam, Joe became the manager of C.W. Edwards Home. Both Joe and Mary were pillars of the community and very active in the political arena. Joe continued to manage the funeral home until he was called home to be with the Lord on August 13, 1987. Mary continued to reside in Bowling Green until the Lord called her home on May 18, 2012.
The “Service with Dignity and Honor” tradition has been passed on to Mary and Joe’s youngest son, Anthony Stevie Adams. Stevie is a 1977 graduate of Bowling Green Senior High School and a 1981 graduate of John Tyler Community College in Chester, Virginia, where he earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Funeral Service. Committed to the vision, Stevie is the third generation of funeral directors and embalmers for the family. He is married to Joyce Baylor Adams, and they have been blessed with two children, India Janay and Anthony Joseph. Stevie is a member of The Association of Independent Funeral Homes of Virginia.
