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Several people paid tribute to VERNA Edwards, a beloved former athlete, coach, and administrator, at her memorial ceremony on Friday at All Saints Anglican Church in Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain.
Edwards lost her fight with cancer on March 8 in New York, USA. She was 65 years old. Hasely Crawford, the 100-meter Olympic gold medalist, former TT Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis, former NAAA president Ephraim Serrette, and former sport minister Darryl Smith were among the athletes and administrators present. Durly Lucas, a former manager of the TT Carifta track and field team, and other sports executives and media made the trip from Tobago for the burial.
At the funeral, a number of family members and friends spoke. Vernon “Shabaka” Thompson, her twin brother, remarked that Verna “was always exceptional.” We were inseparable.”
Vernon stated that when his sister started competing in track and field, she was one of just a handful of ffemale athletes.
He recalled how kind she was to the kids with disabilities she worked with. Verna was love.
When talking about his sister, Vernon struggled to contain his tears. “Rest in eternal peace, my twin sister.”
Vernon said that Edwards was mischievous and would slip out of the house to attend parties while making the bed to make it appear as though someone was in it.
Aleena, one of Edwards’ daughters, also contributed. She said, “Verna Edwards had no boundaries. Aleena was a national table tennis player, just like her mother.
She had many more children than the four biological children she had.
Aleena flashed back on their tough table tennis encounters. Aleena predicted that she would be told “No food for you tonight” if she defeated her mother. Everyone in the church laughed. Aleena promised to tell her mother, “Dad won’t let me starve,” in response.
Aleena and Edwards became closer because of table tennis as the latter recalled their 1992 training camp trip to Sweden. Verna had a passion for TT culture in addition to athletics, and she even organized gigs for a family pan side she established.
She was a strong, beautiful woman. a real warrior. She made things appear simple. She is legendary, and her influence will endure.
Astra, Andrew, and Aaron, three of Aleena’s siblings, were all previous national table tennis champions.
Throughout the event, there were further tributes, including a poem by two of Edwards’ grandchildren.
