Rocky Mount, N.C. - The North Carolina Wesleyan Department of Athletics is mourning the loss of legendary coach and administrator Jean Edge, who passed away on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 at the age of 84.

Born in Edgecombe County, N.C. on February 4th, 1933, Coach Edge was the daughter of the late Luther Brake and Emma Flye Brake. A woman of great faith and a charter member of Englewood Presbyterian Church, she was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount as well as a certified lay person and an ordained Elder. She enjoyed traveling to preach for Presbytery of New Hope as well as for other small churches across eastern North Carolina.

Coach Edge received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from East Carolina Teacher's College and her Master's in Education from UNC Chapel Hill. Her professional career saw her become the true matriarch of Battling Bishop women's athletics. Not only did she begin the softball program in 1974 and serve as head coach until 1977, but she also gained notoriety as the first-ever head coach for the women's basketball team during the 1976-1977 season. Additionally, Coach Edge's Bishop resume saw her serve as head volleyball coach from 1975 to 1977. Wesleyan's softball facility, Edge Field, is named in her honor, as well as Edge Auxiliary Gymnasium in the Taylor Center. In addition to her coaching duties, she enjoyed being a member of the NCWC faculty as a Physical Education instructor. She is a 1999 inductee into NCWC's Hall of Fame.

Coach Edge leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband of 60 years, Robert "Frank" Edge, daughter Lisa Louise Edge of Okinawa, Japan, and son Robert Walker Edge of Alamo, Ga. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren Meredith Christina Edge and Evan Harrison Edge.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 8th, 2017 at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with the Reverend Bettie Kirkpatrick officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the services in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to The First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount, the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina, or the North Carolina Wesleyan College Physical Education Majors Scholarship Fund. For more information or to share memories and condolences with the family, please visit www.wheelerwoodlief.com.