Rev. Edgar Jerome Dew

REV. EDGAR JEROME DEW, 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at his daughter’s home in Boonsboro, Maryland.

Known as Jerome by his close friends and relatives, and Rev. Edgar by those he met in ministry, he was born on January 30, 1952, in Detroit, the first-born son of Edgar Turner Dew and Louise Dew. Jerome met Gloria Jean Rice in 1970, and they married on December 16, 1972. Together they had three children: Jerome Ashanti Dew (deceased), Kyneesha Rynea Parham, and Krysteena Danielle Lawrence (formerly Krysteena Danielle Anderson).

Known for his passion for speaking and his eloquent use of the English language, he earned his law degree and Juris Doctorate, becoming an attorney and practicing law for a number of years. Jerome joined Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church of Detroit, Michigan in 1994, becoming a dedicated Bible study teacher and mentor, which led him to join his wife Rev. Gloria in ministry, becoming an ordained minister in 2005.

Through their daughter Krysteena’s need for support during her second combat tour in the Army, Rev. Edgar and Rev. Gloria moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado before receiving an opportunity to relocate to Anchorage, Alaska in 2010, where Jerome ultimately became a Licensed Professional Counselor for troubled youth.

After 13 years in Anchorage, both Rev. Edgar and Rev. Gloria decided to move to Maryland to live with their daughter Krysteena and receive support as he fought a courageous battle with prostate cancer and End Stage Renal Disease.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rev. Gloria Jean Dew; his daughters, Kyneesha Rynea Parham and Krysteena Danielle Lawrence (Revon Andre Lawrence); and his cherished grandchildren, Demetrius Fagan Parham II, Donivyn Ashanti Parham, Autumn Kathryn Parham, Neena Ymani Anderson, Nya Dorielle Anderson, and Jasmine Amari Anderson; and his sister, Diane Dew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Turner Dew and Louise Dew; his son, Jerome Ashanti Dew; and his brother, Marvin Leslie Dew.

He also leaves behind a host of beloved extended family members, friends, spiritual sons and daughters, and all those whose lives were touched by his wisdom, and unwavering faith.

With respect to Rev. Edgar’s wishes, there will not be a funeral or public viewing, but rather a private celebration of life.

The family thanks you for love and your prayers.

“Therefore, we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-8