Rose Hill Cemetery
Grady County, Oklahoma

© The Chickasha Express-Star
August 18, 2011

Geneva [Burke] Edwards

Oct. 23, 1907 ~ Aug. 9, 2011

Funeral services for Geneva Burke-Edwards, 103, of Chickasha, OK will be held Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 at First Baptist Church, 101 East Dakota Ave, Chickasha, OK, Reverend Pastor W. Cooper will officiate and eulogize the services. Internment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Brown/Christian Funeral Home.

Geneva Burke Edwards was born on October 23, 1907, in Southland, Arkansas to the proud parents of the late Willis and Sarah Burke. She was the fifth of eight children preceded in death by Oscar, Leon, Willis Jr., Henry Theron and Sylvester Burke, and two sisters: Marie Burke- Washington and Lorraine Burke-Butcher.

Mrs. Geneva Burke Edwards accepted Christ as her Savior at Spring Lake Baptist Church in Southland, Arkansas at an early age.

She completed her elementary education in the private school, Southland Institute, Southland, Arkansas. Mrs. Edwards high school education was completed at Morton High in 1926 in Richmond, Indiana. She later entered college at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in education. Mrs. Edwards remained active in extra-curriculum activities including the college track team, debate team, basketball team, and college chorus where she sang along with Marian Anderson. She also had the privilege of meeting Dr. George Washington Carver, where she observed Dr. Carver conducting experiments, in addition to attending Chapel with him on Sundays.

In 1932, Mrs. Edwards began her teaching career at Snow Hill School in Snow Hill, Alabama where she taught for three years. She later moved to Chickasha, OK, where she became a member of the First Baptist Church in 1935. She actively participated in the programs of the church, was a member of the Women's Bible class, WMU, Publicity Chairperson for the church's bulletin board, Secretary-Treasurer of the building fund, and a member of the Sanctuary choir.

Mrs. Edwards taught in the Chickasha Public School system for 34 years.

She married William Isom Edwards on December 25, 1938 in Chickasha, where they raised their children Donna Virginia Edwards-Judkins and William Harold Edwards.

During her tenure, she continued her pursuit in educational development at OCW, Oklahoma University, the University of Colorado, finally earning her Master's Degree at the University of California, Berkley. In 1967.

In 1967, Mrs. Edwards was appointed Assistant Director of an Innovative program (Follow Through). This added to the Chickasha Public School Curriculum, (Grades 1-3). She served in that position until her retirement in 1972.

Mrs. Edwards continued her devotion and interest in educational and community activities, and organizations. She contributed through voluntary efforts including, tutoring, Instructor in the Lau Bach Reading Program and as a volunteer at the Senior Nutrition Program for 13 years delivering Meals on Wheels. She also held various memberships with the Opportunity Workshop Board of Directors, Secretary of Children's Train-Inn Day Care Center Board, Secretary of the Bullock Memorial Trustee Board, Secretary of the Chickasha Community Concert Association Board, Chickasha Literacy Counsel, Chickasha Community Action Council, and affiliation with the Chi Zeta Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Social Sorority and Purity Chapter No. 34, OE S. She was known as one of the Sunshine Ladies who entertained weekly by singing with residents of three nursing homes for many years.

Mrs. Edwards' membership was in the Grady County and Oklahoma Retired Teachers Associations, in addition to the National Retired Teachers Association, and the American Association of the University of Women.

Mrs. Edwards was preceded in death by her late husband, William Isom Edwards (1983), and grandson Todd Baugh.

She is survived by her two children, Donna V. Edwards Judkins of Los Angeles, CA. and William Harold Edwards ("Bill"), and his wife, Patricia of Houston, TX; grandchildren: Anthony, Dekya, and Christopher Judkins, Nicole Edwards-Duson and Tony Duson, Ronald and Angel Edwards, followed by three great-grandchildren, Ronald Edwards, Jr., Zayden Olive, and Robye Edwards, in addition to many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.