Celia Mae Rule

Celia Mae Edwards Rule, 97, of Chester passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Born in Meherrin, VA, Mae moved to Roanoke, VA at an early age, and in 1960 moved to Chester, VA.

She started her career at age 14 at a lunch counter in downtown Roanoke and worked a variety of jobs during WWII including the American Viscose silk mill and Kenrose clothing manufacturer. After the war she married, and the family later moved to the Chester area. She worked 30 years for then Allied Chemical Corp. and retired as a lab technician in 1992.

Mae was a compassionate and strong leader and had a heart for community service. She was an employee rep and officer for the AFL-CIO and volunteered in many capacities for St. Ann’s Catholic Church, as a mentor at Harrowgate Elementary School, and for the Board of Elections counting votes.

Mae was active and continually pursued knowledge, earning her GED, studying martial arts, oil painting, dancing, and participated on bowling leagues, enjoyed traveling, and meeting her friends regularly for games and fellowship. Known for her cooking, she loved delighting everyone with their favorites.

Mae is preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Maynard Rule, and stillborn son, Richard Nolan Rule; her parents, Charles Reid Edwards and Ida Alice Spencer Edwards; six siblings, Charles Edwards Jr., Rita Caudill, Ruby Turner, Elzia Edwards, Giggs Edwards, & Leon Edwards; niece, Rose Marie Edwards; nephew, Ronald Edwards; great-nephew, Damon Edwards; and one great-niece.

She is survived by sons, Rev. Steven Randall Rule and Gary Michael Rule (Heather Johnson Rule); daughter, Deborah Sue Rule Morlock; three grandchildren, Trinity Tonya Pope St. John, Jenna Leigh Morlock, and Matthew James Rule; great-grandson, Romeo Ruch St. John; as well as 11 nieces and nephews; 18 great and 12 great-great-nephews and nieces.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025 in St. Ann Catholic Church, 17111 Route 1, South Chesterfield, VA 23834. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, May 29, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chesterfield EMS & Fire Dept. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com