"To everything there is a season and time for every purpose under the heavens...." Eccleasiastes 3:1
Elsie Bernice Edwards Highsmith was born on February 23, 1940 to the late Pearl C. Edwards Brown of King William, Virginia. She departed this life peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ.
Elsie was the second oldest of three brothers and seven sisters. She was educated through King William County Public Schools and graduated from Hamilton Holmes High School in 1956 with honors. She furthered her education by attending Fayetteville State University.
Elsie accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church in West Point, Virginia where she attended faithfully in her youth until she relocated to New Jersey.
Elsie was a devoted and dedicated employee of the Snow White Laundry in Long Branch, NJ for more than 15 years. Elsie shared many loving years under the love and care of her devoted sister Annie Mae and her children.
Elsie was quiet, gentle and filled with knowledge and wisdom. She loved long walks on the boardwalk and was known for her contagious smile.
Elsie was preceded in death by her son Michael; mother Pearl; step-father George Sr.; siblings Walter and Mattie; maternal grandparents Johnnie and Beulah Jefferson Edwards.
Elsie leaves to cherish her memory her husband William Highsmith; her loving children Jeffrey Highsmith of Newark, NJ, Gregory Highsmith (Angela) of Phillipsburg, NJ; Valerie Highsmith of Willard, NC and David Highsmith (Cassandra) of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren Malika, Sherica, Al-Tariq, Brittney, David II, Devin, Adriana and Gregory II; great-grandchildren Keyana, Tahir, London and Dannie; sisters Annie Mae and Shirley of Long Branch, NJ; Mary Alice of Richmond, VA, Betty of Hartford, CT, Pearl Theresa of Silver Springs, MD and Martha of Washington, DC; two brothers George Jr. of Richmond, VA and Leon of Washington, DC; two brother-in-laws James Highsmith of Union, NJ and Clarence Highsmith of Willard, NC; two sister-in-laws Joyce Murphy (Daulis) of Plainfield, NJ and Elizabeth Brown of West Point, VA as well as a host of nieces (one devoted Vicky Olgetree), great nieces, nephews, great nephews, other relatives and friends.
