August 29, 2023, 84, Mount Olive —

After having finished life’s course, Mrs. Joan Edelen is now at rest.  She passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield at the age of 84.

Mrs. Edelen was a native of Alexandria, Virginia, and was one of six children born to Otis and Annie Nolan.  She had been a waitress for most of her working career, predominately in the cafeteria at the Holiday Inn motel  

After she and her husband relocated to Mount Olive she became a member of Salem Advent Christian Church in Mount Olive and had worshiped at Brock’s Chapel Church as well. She had also become an active participant at Mount Olive Senior Citizen Center.

Surviving her, a daughter, Ruth Ann Messano of Smithfield, with whom she had been living for the last few years; grandchildren, Omar Sharif, Shuaib Sharif, Tonya Wilkinson, April Wilkinson, Stephanie Wilkinson, Kelly Smith, Eric Edelen, and Bradley Edelen; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Thomas “Tom” Delaney Edelen, Sr.; a son, Thomas D. Edelen, Jr.; and daughters, Sheri Lynn O’Brien and Connie Mae Wilkinson.

A gathering for family and friends will be on Tuesday, September 5, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive.  Graveside services, followed by burial, will be Friday, September 8, at 2:00 p.m. at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any gifts to go toward final expenses to be made to the funeral home.