Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards, 94, of Florence, passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at Villasprings Health Care Center in Florence.

Sarah Elizabeth White was born to Irish immigrant parents, Sam and Jennie (Kirkpatrick) White, on December 28, 1915 in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in Fairmont, Missouri with brothers Samuel and John White and graduated from Northeast's college preparatory program in 1932. She met the love of her life, Lloyd Edwards, while selling tickets at the roller rink and on September 21, 1932 of that same year, she married him and credited his parents with finisihing raising her. Lloyd and Elizabeth had three sons, Robert, Daniel, and twin, Richard, who lived for only 13 days.

After raising her family, Elizabeth accompanied Lloyd on three major projects for Standard Oil. They spent a year in Australia, a year in Madras, India and a year in Wales. Following their stays in Australia and Wales, they toured the world on the return trips home and she continued her world travels later in life.

Elizabeth was a long-time member and active volunteer, from Sunday School teacher to Deacon, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Independence. She was also a Cub Scout Leader, member of the PTA, and volunteer driver for the American Red Cross. Later, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels and in the gift shop at the Independence Sanitarium for a number of years.

She was full of God-given wisdom, not necessarily the wisdom of books but more of life, families, and relationships. Elizabeth was an untrained nurse to three generations of her family and was eternally grateful for her good fortune and good health. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tease. She enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, playing bridge with friends and a good cup of tea.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, and their wives, John and Louise White and Sam and Elizabeth White; sons, Richard and Robert; and daughters-in-law, Sylvia (Smith) and Julie (Williamson).

She is survived by her son, Daniel Edwards of Casper, Wyoming; grandsons, Chad (DeDe) Edwards of Wetumpka, Alabama, Sean (Amy) Edwards of Burlington, Kentucky, and Paul (Laura) Edwards of Florence, Kentucky; granddaughters, Jennifer (Brian) Madden of Rapid City, South Dakota and Melissa Edwards of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and 15 great grandchildren, whom she enjoyed cuddling and reading to until the end.

Services are scheduled at Carson-Speaks Funeral Home of Independence, Missouri, Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. Interment, with graveside service, at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, Missouri.

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