Edna Mae (Wise) Ashley transitioned peacefully from this earthly world to begin her spiritual journey on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. She was surrounded by her family and friends.
Edna was born in Wake County, North Carolina on February 22, 1946 to the late Jake and Annie Mae (Jeffries) Wise. She was the third child of their union. Edna was raised in the Pentecostal faith and knew God as her savior. She often proudly boasted about her dad's famous gospel group: The Clouds of Harmony.
She was educated in the North Carolina school system and graduated high school in 1964. Edna moved to Providence, Rhode Island in 1966. She worked various jobs and attended IBM computer school. She also worked as a CNA. These were just jobs and not her true calling. Miss Edna, as she was affectionately known, then opened her own in-home daycare center. She loved, fed, read to, sang to, gardened with, and rocked to sleep multiple children on a daily basis. She loved every child as her own and kept them in line as her own. In her spare time, Edna loved to cook, garden, and paint. She has even had a short story published. She was a well accomplished woman.
Edna met the love of her life, Wilford Noble Ashley in 1964. Her "Noba". They were married on June 24, 1978. They were the perfect match. Truly each other's best friend. They had a love to envy.
Edna is survived by her four beautiful daughters: Kelly Ashley-Bangoura (Aly), Sherese Ashley-Foye (Kenny), Alyssa Ashley, and Nicole Ashley-Gilbert (Kevin). All of Providence, Rhode Island. To also cherish her memory are her amazing grandchildren: Ivy Ashley-Hepler, Melvin Ashley-Foye, Raheem Ashley-Bangoura, Mya Gilbert, and Janelle Gilbert. She is also survived by her two handsome brothers. Claude Wise (Barbara) of Zebulon, North Carolina and Charles Wise (Elaine) of Youngsville, North Carolina.
Edna is preceded in death by her husband Wilford Noble Ashley. Sisters: Louise Jenkins and Gladys Harris. Brothers: Larry Wise and James Wise. Granddaughter: Kennice Ashley-Foye.
Also to mourn her passing is a plethora of cousins, nieces, and nephews. We would be remissed in not mentioning her honorary children. Katrina Roy (Brian), Erika Madison (Fred), Dina Rodriguez (Dee), Laura Colon-Tuscani, Valeska Parker (Jay), and those Jones girls: Dorverdra, Shayna and Miranda.
Rest in peace mommy. We've got it from here.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, April 16th from 9:30 – 10:30am, followed by a homegoing service at 10:30am at The Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, 25 Mystic St., Providence, R.I. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground, Providence.