Margaret Edwards

1916 - 2015

Margaret (Hopkins) Edwards
1916-2016
Margaret Ruth, the first child of Madge and Rev. Henry M. Hopkins, was born in a Methodist parsonage on Eighth Street in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 20, 1916. She was the eldest of six children who included sister, Esther; brother, Paul; sister, Dorothy; brother, David, and sister, Kathryn.
She attended public schools in Brenham and Houston, and graduated from Waco High School and Blinn College in Brenham. As a member of Phi Theta Kappa at Blinn, she was delegate to the National Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas. Although she received a scholarship upon graduation from Blinn to attend SMU, she was unable to continue her college education for financial reasons in the middle of the Great Depression. Instead, she trained as a medical lab technician at Providence Hospital in Waco; then worked for a surgeon, Dr. C.G. Catto in Waco, and later for Dr. Foster in Itasca, Texas during World War II.
On January 6, 1940, Margaret married Philip L. Edwards in the Methodist parsonage in Waco, with her father performing the ceremony. During their marriage they lived in Galveston, Texas; Elizabethton, Tennessee; Cumberland, Maryland; South Charleston, West Virginia; Victoria, Texas; and League City, Texas. They were parents to three sons, Vic, Dave, and Tim.
In West Virginia, Margaret was secretary at the First Methodist Church in South Charleston, and later worked as a clerk in the Kanawha County Tax Assessor's Office in Charleston for three years. Volunteer activities included her work with children as a Cub Scout Den mother, accompanist for the Boy's Choir at church, responsibilities in the PTA, teacher for children's and youth Sunday school classes, and an active member of a community music club. She worked for several years as a charter member of the Thomas Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in South Charleston. In Victoria, Texas, she was active in two PTA organizations, the League of Women Voters and adult church groups.
When the Edwards family moved back to Texas in 1967, Margaret worked for a NASA contractor, Ling Tempco Vaught, at the Johnson Space for about a year. During the next thirteen years, she worked as a secretary in Civil Service in three Divisions of the Engineering and Development Directorate at JSC during the Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz and Shuttle programs.
She retired in 1983 to enjoy many years of keeping up with her friends and family as well as writing several biographical books based on her research into the lives of her parents. Margaret was a people person who lived to care for and about others. Never a day passed without her praying for her large flock of friends and family.
Her interests have included reading, music, crafts, gardening, genealogical research and freelance writing. She has been active in Texas Historical and Genealogical Societies, and has participated in preservation efforts concentrated at the sites of her mother's early immigrant family in Addicks, Texas.
Her husband of sixty years, Phil, preceded her in death by fifteen years. Margaret's mind remained sharp despite years of physical decline. Throughout this century, she resided in independent living, moving into assisted living only within the past few years. After a brief illness, she died on Sunday, April 26 in the hospital in Houston, Texas.
Margaret's family wishes to thank all of her family, friends, and caretakers who gave her so much support and care during her many years.
Survivors include her sons, Victor and Mary Edwards of Houston; David and Nancy Edwards of Everett, Washington; and Tim and Janell Edwards of Giddings, Texas.
Grandchildren include Hal and Susie Edwards of Garland, Texas; Beth and Ed Ehrichs of Dresden, Germany; Nate Edwards of Seattle, Washington; Dan and Brandi Edwards of Bremerton, Washington; and James and Linda Edwards of Tyler, Texas.
Great-grandchildren include Boone Edwards, Christian Edwards, Drew Edwards, Will Edwards, Jack Ehrichs, Genevieve Ehrichs, Madison Edwards, and Brooklyn Edwards.
Other survivors include a brother, David Hopkins of Arlington, Texas, a sister, Kathryn Grimm, of Bedford, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Other survivors include numerous beloved friends. Her earthly remains will be interred at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston. Her soul we commend to Almighty God.
Visitation will take place on Friday, May 1, 2015, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. A Funeral Service under the direction of Rev. Mary Magnusson will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 3 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Honorary pall bearers include Margaret's grandchildren nieces and nephews.
Memorials are to be given to the League City United Methodist Church, 1411 West Main Street, League City, TX 77573.