Edna Williams was born in 1902 in rural Virginia before moving with her family to Greenbrier County as a young child. Edna attended West Virginia State. Following her retirement, Edna played an active role in the Greenbrier County Association of Retired School Employees. Edna also played important roles in several organizations in her local community of Lincoln, a Black community near Ronceverte, including the 4H club and the Greenbrier County Extension Homemakers club.