Marlene Mary Edwards

Marlene Mary Brettman Edwards was born November 16, 1936 in Hinsdale, Illinois. She passed into the loving hands of the Lord at 89 years of age on December 12, 2025, embraced by her family. She was the third daughter of Gladys Mary Murphy Drolet and Herbert Peter Brettman. Raised in Hinsdale, Illinois, she was a graduate of Hinsdale Township High School, Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and American Airlines Stewardess School in Chicago, Illinois.

She met the love of her life, George Royalty “Rook” Edwards in Dallas in the year 1957; and after a whirlwind courtship, they married. Together, she and Rook raised two children, David Brett Edwards, and Deborah Marie Davenport, EdD, both undergraduates of Baylor University.

Marlene is survived by her two children David and Deborah, her precious and treasured grandchildren, Jeffrey Dean Davenport and Lana Marie Davenport Smith and her husband David Amadeus Smith, her great grandchildren Parker Wayne Smith, and Mason Wallace Smith; and her niece Kimberly Anne Cunningham of Zurich, Switzerland.

Marlene was pre-deceased by her Father Herbert Peter Brettman, mother Gladys Mary Murphy Drolet Brettman, her beloved husband George R. Edwards, sisters Lois June Carr and Doloris May Cunningham, and niece Cheryl Jean Carr.

Marlene wore many Girl Scout hats in Houston and at the national level. Leading four Houston troops from Brownies to their graduation from High School was just one of her greatest delights. At one point, she and her co-leader had registered 40 girls who loved going, doing, and learning new things. Many took Girl Scout trips to Europe with her and her co-leader.

Devoting over 50 years of service to the Girl Scouts U.S.A. organization, she was honored as a Lifetime member of GSUSA and received two of the National Organization’s highest awards, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from Girl Scouts San Jacinto Council. She was proud to have served two terms on the Board of Directors, and was a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society and the Emerald Circle, both fund raisers for the local girls. For many years, she contributed an historical column in the Council’s quarterly journal, The Golden Link. One of her great joys was to assist in the development of Houston’s 4,000 square foot Girl Scout Museum at the Girl Scout Center on the Southwest Freeway, as she was driven to share Girl Scout history from its beginning in 1912 forward with the highest archival accuracy.

Marlene was a member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church since 1964 and also a longtime member and Past President of Wilchester Women’s Club.

Family Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Earthman’s Hunter’s Creek Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Freeway in Houston. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Earthman’s with Reverend James H. McPhail of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church and Chaplain John Bender of Parkway Place Retirement Living Community officiating.

Graveside service at the family plot in Oakwood Cemetery, Waco will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., conducted by Brandon, Frenzel, the pastor of Austin Avenue Methodist Church.

For those desiring to give in her honor, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marlene’s memory to be made to the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77098. Please specify: The Emerald Circle Endowed Scholarship Fund.