Obituary of Georgene Ruth Edwards

Georgene Ruth Vose Edwards, 90, of Chapel Hill, NC passed away on December 6, 2023, at Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham, NC.

Born on June 4, 1933, in DeKalb, Illinois, “George” as she was called by family and friends, was the fourth of six children raised by George and Ruth Vose. While attending Joliet High School, where she graduated as salutatorian, she met her forever person, Donald Francis Edwards. They married in May 1952, and in keeping with the spirit of adventure that would drive future moves, the two traveled west to Santa Barbara, CA at the age of 19, where Don trained at Camp Cooke, and they enjoyed coastal living. After his military discharge, they returned to DeKalb where George supported Don in his pursuit of a degree at Northern Illinois University. That means, she wrote/edited most of his essays and papers while working and managing their home. Her behind the scenes support of her husband, children, and grandchildren was one of her greatest gifts, and her constant encouragement and listening ear are traits that will be greatly missed.

George and Don moved to a suburb of Detroit, MI, in 1960 where their daughter, Deon, was born, followed by son, Donald Jr., in 1962. Always athletic, she enjoyed softball (She pitched!), snow skiing, and bowling. Nothing was better than a family vacation with the four Edwardses or with other Vose family members and children. She made amazing holiday meals, played piano, loved puzzles and Thanksgiving charades, and reigned as the family math wizard. She was still working math problems until three weeks before her death. George used her intellect to help her children succeed in school, proofreading essays, listening to and timing oral presentations, and quizzing for spelling tests, all after working a full day and cooking dinner! She was smart, stubborn, and humble.

In 1990, George and Don launched another “moving” adventure, landing in Pinehurst, NC. There, she was a devoted member of The Village Chapel and served as the church bookkeeper until retiring at the age of 80. In Pinehurst, she celebrated a hole in one on the Azalea Course at Pinewild Country Club, a feat no one in the family can match. After Don’s passing, she moved to Chapel Hill in 2020 to be close to family, grandkids, a crazy dog, and enjoy easy access to McDonald’s vanilla milkshakes, her favorite indulgence.

George is predeceased by her parents and husband, as well as sisters Beverly Kelton and Elaine Pekar. She is survived by two children, Deon Eileen Roach (Michael) of Chapel Hill, NC and Donald Francis Edwards, Jr. (Linda) of Enfield, CT, and four grandchildren, Donald Francis Edwards III, Connor Michael Roach, Samuel Tanner Roach, and Mary Catherine Edwards. Surviving siblings include Marilyn Criche, Caryl Thomas (Bill), and Bob (Judy) Vose, as well as much loved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in 2024 at the Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Georgene’s name may be made to the UNC Palliative Care Program (https://give.unc.edu/donate?p=main&f=344117). Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, NC, is assisting the family.