"She was a woman of strong faith," said her granddaughter, Danielle Scott. "She had high expectations for her family and for herself. She was extremely caring and giving."
Edith was licensed as a caregiver in 1967 and opened Janet's Christian Educational Daycare Center at her West Philadelphia home.
"One of her life's passions was the safety and education of children," her family said.
Edith and her late twin sister, Emily, were born in Philadelphia, two of the 11 children of James Frank and Annie Byrd Lemmon. She graduated from Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School with a license in cosmetology.
She went on to the Manna Bible Institute and graduated in 1965. She became a licensed evangelist on Jan. 27, 1968.
She took evangelism seriously and didn't hesitate to go into the streets to try to convince others to join her in the joy she felt in her heart through her faith.
"She always kept her faith and trust in the Lord," her family said.
Edith was baptized on Oct. 1, 1943, at Mount Carmel Baptist Church by the late Rev. D.W. Hoggard. In 1949, she joined Vine Memorial Baptist under the pastorate of the late Rev. Leonard G. Carr.
She met Paul Bains at the church, and they were married on Oct. 23, 1945. They had a daughter, Paula Janet.
Edith married Carl V. Wagner on Nov. 24. 1973.
Edith worked as a secretary for a number of businesses before opening her day-care center. "After numerous years and children," as her family put it, she closed the center and went to Vine Memorial as a secretary.
Besides her daughter, Paula J. West, she is survived by a sister, Suzanne E. Morton; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Vine Memorial Baptist Church, 56th Street and Girard Avenue. Friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Merion Memorial Park, Bala-Cynwyd.
Contact John F. Morrison at morrisj@phillynews.com or 215-854-5573.
