Helen Lucille Edwards

Helen “Lucille” Edwards was born March 4, 1931 in Mercedes, TX to William Isbel and Emma Susan Grand McDonnold. The fourth and youngest of their children, Lucille was fondly referred to as “pup” by her dad, because she loved to follow him around. Growing up during the Great Depression, Lucille and her family lived in various places in TX, AZ and CA as her parents ran restaurants and, from time-to-time, her father drove trucks or worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps.

After her parents divorced, Lucille moved with her mother to Kerrville, TX. She attended Tivy High School where she played violin and had hopes of someday performing scientific research. She attended University of Texas in Austin, where she became a registered nurse through Brackenridge School of Nursing.

While they were both students, she met Billy Charles Edwards at church through a mutual friend. She and Bill married February 17, 1951. They were married 59 years until Bill’s death, living in Austin, Ballinger and Abilene where Bill worked as a pharmacist. Throughout their marriage, Lucille was devoted to her family, primarily serving as a homemaker and raising their three children. Later she returned to work as a registered nurse to help provide for her children’s college educations.

Lucille had a deep faith in Christ and was an active member of First United Methodist Church for over 30 years and, later, of St. Paul United Methodist Church for over 20 years. She exercised hospitality, frequently inviting college students or other young guests home after church, stretching the usual Sunday roast with an extra potato and pan of biscuits. She often took food or other necessities to people in need. She was an excellent seamstress, making many of her family’s garments, including her own wedding dress, formal dresses, suits for her son, and costumes for her children and grandchildren. She reupholstered furniture, the interior of a car, and made a series of altar vestments for St. Paul UMC. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, enjoying visits in her home, attending their extra-curricular activities, and tutoring their schoolwork.

Lucille passed from this life on October 28, 2015 surrounded by her children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Robert McDonnold. She is survived by her brother, LeRoy McDonnold, of West Carrollton, OH, and sister, Mary Harbrecht, of Mineral Wells; son, David Edwards, and his wife, Lisa, of Kerrville; daughter, Cynthia Miller, and her husband, Marty, of Abilene; daughter, Beverly Stookey, and her husband, Stephen, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Elysia Van Deusen and her husband, Chris, Charles Miller, Matthew Stookey and Madeline Stookey; and great-grandsons, Milo and Everett Van Deusen.

Viewing and visitation with the family will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Edwards and Dr. Stephen Stookey officiating. Graveside service and interment will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park, with Rev. Jeff Zirkle officiating. Memorials can be made to a favorite charity or St. Paul United Methodist Church.