Orpah Edwards West

On Sunday, August 13, 2023, Mrs. Orpah E. West was called home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 16, 1937, to the late Paul and Jessie Edwards. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clarence S. West Sr., son, Ramon N. West, and sister, Bettie S. Scott. Orpah matriculated through the Suffolk Public School System, where she graduated with honors. She received her nursing degree from Norfolk State University, School of Professional Nursing. She was a recipient of the Harrison B. Wilson and Pacesetters Honors Scholarships. Orpah had a passion and gift for helping others. To her, nursing was not only a career but a ministry. She was known by many as “The Community Nurse.” It wasn’t unusual for her to receive calls in the middle of the night to assist others with medical care. She was the neighborhood 911. Her humanitarian services spanned over four decades from 1958-1999. She was one of the first Black nurses employed with Louise Obici Memorial Hospital. She then went on to work with Portsmouth Regional Medical Center, until she was hired by the Nansemond County Public Schools as the first Black School Nurse. Subsequently she was hired as the first Black Planning Nurse Consultant for the Suffolk Health Department. She later served for 29 years as a dedicated instructor of Health Occupations at The P. D. Pruden Center where she was the first instructor hired for the Nurse’s aide class. Orpah taught hundreds of high school students during the day and adults during the night classes. She initiated the Health Occupations Alumni Scholarship Banquet to reunite former students and provide scholarships for graduating students. She was highly respected and admired, by all of her students. Orpah was a person of many gifts and talents. She loved antiques and reupholstery. Everything she attempted, she completed to perfection. She was a skilled seamstress who made matching outfits for herself and her daughters. Upon perfecting her sewing skills, she and her good friend Marion Godwin created a joint business, West and Godwin Enterprise, Afro Centric Attire. Orpah was a charter member of the Omega Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. She was instrumental in organizing the Miss Omega Pageant and the Memorial Scholarship Banquet that aided students enrolled in nursing school and recognized community servants and former nurses. Orpah gave her life to Christ at an early age and faithfully served the Lord. She and her husband Clarence began their Christian service as deacon and deaconess with First Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill. They later joined East End Baptist Church where they both served for over 50 years as deacon and deaconess, as well as missionaries traveling abroad. She initiated Christian Sex Education classes for parents to better communicate with their children. She also served as a Sunday School teacher, President of Women on Mission, member of Cultural Celebration Ministries and Seniors in Praise Choir. Continuing her humanitarian service, Orpah, volunteered with the Red Cross as a CPR and First Aid Instructor and was a former member of the Board of Directors. Orpah received numerous awards and recognitions for her service in the community, including a Proclamation from the Mayor of Suffolk, proclaiming Saturday, June 19, 1999, as Orpah Edwards West Day. She leaves to cherish her memory, Daughters, Cynthia West Edwards, Jeanetta Lynne Whitehurst, Sons, Clarence S. West, Jr. (Tanya), Milton Sawyer, and Alvin J. Edwards. Grandchildren, Zuwarah Jahi, Jessica Ruffin (Torrey), Melanie Harris (Mitchell), Benjamin West, Ramon J. West, Kelvin Jr., Darius and Isaiah Whitehurst, Taylor Barnes (Dontrail), Clarence III and Caelyn West, Daerica, Milton Jr, Alicia, and Jasmine Sawyer. Great grandchildren, Adiya, Lanni, Kaylehm and Analu Jahi, Joshua Harris, Justin Edwards, Romare West, Avery Givhens, Cairo and Damien Barnes. Brother, William Edwards, Sisters, Christine O. Edwards, Pauline Rebecca Maxwell (Walter), and and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A public viewing will be held 1:00-5:00pm, followed by a wake from 5:00-7:00pm, Wednesday, August 23, 2023 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held 12 Noon, Thursday, August 24, 2023 at East End Baptist Church. Family and friends can view the service via livestreamed using this link; https://theeastendbaptistchurch.com/watch-live/ Ms. West will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to the East End Baptist Church Memorial Fund, in Memory of Orpah E. West. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Orpah Edwards West, please visit our flower store.