Friends, family mourn Jessica Edwards

Jun. 12—Around 200 people gathered Saturday morning at the Rehoboth Church of God in Bloomfield to celebrate the short life of Jessica Edwards, who speakers described as funny, courageous, and an amazing mother.

The guests gathered inside the church in socially distanced groups to listen to speakers and singers, as a live stream of the service was recorded for those watching elsewhere.

Edwards, 30, the mother of an infant son, was killed last month in her South Windsor home. Her husband, Tahj Hutchinson, 22, confessed to police to causing her death during a fight. He has since been charged with first-degree manslaughter and remains in custody.

HOMEGOING SERVICE

FOR: Jessica Edwards, 30, of South Windsor, who was killed last month during a domestic altercation.

LIFE: Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to Hartford with her family at age 7; Graduate of East Hartford High School and Manchester Community College; Mother of an 8-month-old son, Jayden.

On Saturday, Edwards' father, Milton Edwards lamented that throughout her childhood, he had always been able to protect his daughter, but he couldn't protect her from Hutchinson.

"I've served in the military for over 40 years, and this is my toughest assignment, easily, to date," he said.

Edward's brother, Mario Edwards, said his sister's death has been the most difficult experience his family has ever been through.

He said he recently recalled the day Jessica was born, and he was told he would have a baby sister.

"I never once thought that I'd be seeing her burial," Mario Edwards said.

"She's a mother, a wonderful sister, just a beautiful, wonderful human being," he said. "I miss her. I love my sister so much."

"Jessica was my everything," said her sister, Yanique Edwards, who delivered the eulogy.

"She was the funniest person in the world, the life of the party. She made sure everyone had a smile on their face no matter the situation," Yanique Edwards said.

Yanique said one of Jessica's biggest goals in life was to be a mother. Last Sept. 18, that dream came true, she said.

Sept. 18 is also Yanique's birthday, so when she received a call from Jessica shortly after midnight, she expected to hear "happy birthday!" Instead, she found out her sister had given birth to Jayden, her son, now 8-months-old.

"Jayden was the best thing to ever happen to her," Yanique said. "Jessica was the epitome of an amazing mother."

Before she died, Jessica had recently finished studying to become a respiratory therapist, a career for which she was very excited to begin.

"She drove me crazy talking about it every single day," Yanique said, drawing a few laughs from the crowd.

"Jessica was the strongest, most dedicated person I ever met, and she enjoyed being a mom," Yanique added.

Yanique said Jessica always believed in her when no one else did, and fought for her, and now she will do the same.

"The story doesn't end here. We need justice for Jessica," Yanique said.

Bishop Jonathan Ramsey Jr., who coordinated much of the service, called Jessica "a rose plucked too soon from the garden of life."

Ramsey said Jessica was a woman full of life and vitality, who was courageous and determined.

"Jessica had dreams and goals, and she pursued them hard," Ramsey said.

He said although Jessica's death is painful and tragic, it presents unique opportunities to address a few related issues.

First, her death is an opportunity to denounce and speak out against domestic violence in any form, Ramsey said. It's also an opportunity to highlight the importance of having good mental health, he said.

The third opportunity, he said, is to "learn to value life, and to value the people that God gives us in this life. Let's not take those relationships, those moments, those times that we have so lightly."

For breaking news and happenings in North Central Connecticut, follow Matthew Knox on Twitter: @MatthewPKnoxJI, and Facebook: Matthew P. Knox JI.