Born in Baton Rouge, La. on January 13, 1945, Carolyn grew up in Baker, La. where she graduated high school in 1962. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1967, and her Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University in 1978. Carolyn then followed her passion and become an educator and administrator of the highest caliber.
She started her teaching and administrative career more than fifty years ago in and around the Baton Rouge area, including Baker High School, her own alma mater. She moved to Conroe, Texas, where she served as Science Teacher then Department Chair and then Grade-Level Principal at McCullough High School in The Woodlands. She then took a position as the Assistant Principal of Montgomery High School in Montgomery, Texas, where she would become the Principal and spend the majority of her career. This was a vocation for Carolyn: mentoring teachers and, most importantly, educating and caring for kids. She made sure to show up for everything and for every kid she could, from football to academic and band competitions. Her dedication to and belief in herself and those around her created a consistent atmosphere of possibility; she helped kids believe in themselves. Mrs. Edwards was a seasoned, decorated educator, known and loved by thousands of students and coworkers.
She was a professional mother as well – initially to three children from her first marriage, and then again as mother to four more step children from her second marriage. Along the way, she mothered the many other children brought into her house where she taught, fed, laughed with, and loved these as her own. Scores of these men and women are part of that extended family who will miss her like a lost parent. They will miss her humor and her wit and mostly miss her sincere honesty. Hers was a reassuring honesty, a consistent honesty that let kids know exactly where they stood and what was expected and that they were loved mightily.
She was a wife, a gift of a wife, a partner and equal and true helpmeet in the purest sense of the word. She said she was lucky enough to have the true love of two good men in her life, and was genuinely thankful despite earlier hardship. She was devoted to her second husband Rod and loved him without reserve. They were an incredible partnership and lucky to have one another and share their lives and families.
She was also a sister. Her relationship with her three siblings was integral to her life and theirs. The friendship of these four was unfaltering. Their love of one another was unfailing even if piquant at times due to the familial trait of absolute honesty. They created a clan for themselves and their families, dependable and loving, and absolutely necessary for all.
Carolyn is survived by her loving daughter, son, and stepchildren: Lisa Beth Edwards of New Orleans, La.; Hunter Davis Edwards of Alpine, Texas; Ernest Gabriel Fuhrmann (Nicole) of Houston; Devienne Fuhrmann Theriot (Michael) of Houston; and Natalie Fuhrmann Quinlan (Brian) of League City, Texas. She is also survived by her sisters, Linda Gail Pratt (Warren) of Centreville, Miss., Barbara Ann O’Neil (Patrick) of Zachary, La., and Julie Marie White of Greenwell Springs, La.; her grandchildren, Madeline Cook of Denver, Colo., Mason Edwards of Baton Rouge, La., Jared Cook of Mandeville, La., Analise Thibodaux Edwards of Baton Rouge, Everett Edwards and Davis Edwards of Alpine, Texas, Gabrielle Theriot of Nashville, Tenn., Nicholas Theriot of Jackson, Miss., Rylee Fuhrmann and Rodney "Trey" Fuhrmann III of Montgomery, Sienna Fuhrmann and Aspen Fuhrmann of Houston, and Owen Quinlan, Vivienne Quinlan and Alanna Quinlan of League City; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends, students, coworkers, and her infamous "Texas sisters." The Queenagers know who they are.
Preceding Carolyn in death were her parents, Melvin Davis White and Edna Earle Massey White; her beloved husband of thirty plus years, Rodney Fuhrmann Sr.; her son, Robert O. Edwards Jr.; her stepson, Rodney Fuhrmann II; and her granddaughter, Payton Olivia Edwards.
A Memorial Service celebrating Carolyn's life will be held Friday May 30, 2025, at April Sound Church in Montgomery, Texas, with visitation from 4:00PM-5:00PM, Funeral Service from 5:00PM-6:00PM, and a reception beginning at 6:00PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.metcalffuneraldirectors.com for the Edwards family.
