Deborah "Niecy" Edwards
Deborah Denise Edwards was born on March 27, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Henry Edwards Sr and the late Delois Williamson. Deborah was one of thirteen siblings. Deborah accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was committed to each church that she attended during her time in Iowa. She was a faithful online attendee of Bright Star Church of God in Christ, Pastor Chris T. Harris Sr. of Chicago, Illinois. She departed this life on Saturday, July 9th 2022, at Trinity Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 30th at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Deborah attended James Thorpe Grammar School, Cooley High Junior High School and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. She later received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Iowa Wesleyan College on May 27th, 1995. Deborah had a very successful and praiseworthy 30 plus year career within the Iowa Department of Corrections. She began her professional journey as a correctional officer at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility where she was promoted to the ranks of Sergeant a...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
Lieutenant. She became the first African American female Captain. She continued to be a pioneer in her field, retiring as an Administrative Law Judge at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. Deborah enjoyed attending church, bowling, and was a member of several bowling leagues. She enjoyed casino fun from time to time, was a faithful member of the Divas-n-Action and enjoyed attending the events of her Diva sisters. Her favorite thing to do was travel and spend time with her family and friends. Deborah leaves to cherish her memories father Henry Edwards Sr., brothers Henry Edwards Jr., Darryl, Darien and Russell Leslie, sisters Jeryl Smith, Regina Crider, Charlene, Henrika, and Sharry Edwards, Amber Sutton and Brianna Richie, a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, four god-children and many friends. She was preceded in death by her mother Delois Lee Williamson, sister Silvia Leslie, brothers-in-law Earl Smith and Tyrone Crider.
