Connie Jean Edwards

Connie was born on September 16, 1951, to Allan and Joyce Burkett in Bakersfield, California. Connie died unexpectedly after a medical emergency on July 25, 2023. Her parents divorced and both remarried. Connie was raised by Joyce and Robert Richels. She had two sisters; Sandra Eastep and Jennifer Burkett, and three brothers; Charles, Steve, and Donald Burkett. On September 20, 1969, she married Forrest "Frosty" Edwards. They had two children; Matt (Janis) Edwards and Natalie (Damon) Black.

Connie wanted to be a nurse; however, life had other plans. Connie put those nurturing skills to use by devoting herself to her family and friends. She was a homemaker until Natalie was in 4th grade, then she went to work and nurtured her work family at Color Press until she retired in 2003. Over the years, Connie became an honorary mom to many of Matt and Natalie's friends and opened her home and heart to them as evidenced by the "adopted" kids spending holidays with her and the family.

Connie retired when she became a grandmother to her first grandchild, as she did not trust anyone else to care for her grandbaby. This continued with all five of her grandchildren until they were school-aged. There was nothing Connie loved more than her grandbabies. Her world revolved around being Grammy. She attended concerts, plays, spelling bees, sports practices, games, celebrations, and graduations. Nothing brought her as much joy as having all her grandchildren together, except when they all had fun overnighters with her.

Connie is preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Miller; her father, Allan Burkett; her sister, Sandra Eastep, and her brothers, Charles (Chi) and Donnie. Connie is survived by her husband, Forrest; her children, Matt and Natalie; her grandchildren, Moira Conway, Teaghan Conway, Heath Edwards, Kelvyn Edwards, and Daelin Edwards; her stepfather, Robert (Sharon) Richels; her stepmother, Cleo Burkett; her sister, Jennifer Burkett; her brother, Steve Burkett; her six bonus grandchildren; her six bonus great-grandchildren; numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Connie will be remembered for her smile, her laugh, her sense of humor, and her stubbornness. She loved fiercely and family meant everything, blood or chosen.

Our lives will never be the same, but she will always be with us; cheering and guiding us from Heaven.

We love you and miss you so much.