Frances Irwin Rudolph Edwards

Age 88. Born August 9, 1928, Clarksville, TN. Passed away on¬ Friday, April 21, 2017.

Frances, also known as “Rudy” by her granddaughters and Camp Riva-Lake friends, was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Irwin Durrett and J. Emmett Rudolph, husband, Edward Thomas (Tommy), of 64 years, and son, Edward Thomas Edwards, Jr. She is survived by daughter Irwin Edwards Fisher (Jeff), and granddaughters, Frances Reynolds Fisher and Carolyn Edwards Fisher.

A graduate of Clarksville High School, Frances attended Vanderbilt University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Marrying after her junior year, she and Tommy moved to Clarksville to raise their family. Ten years later, she completed her degree at Austin Peay State University, majoring in music education.

When Frances and Tommy moved to Nashville in 1959, she became the music teacher for The Ensworth School, where she created and executed The Ensworth Christmas Sing for 15 years. She was beloved by the many students and families she influenced with her talent and love of young people.

Frances loved people and easily established friendships with all ages. She was a member of West End United Methodist Church, the Centennial Club, Hillwood Country Club, the Stonycrest Garden Club, and the Junior Board of the Florence Crittendon Home. She chaired the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Advisory Board for several years and served on the Board of Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music.

Her lifelong request: “Grieve for me pleasantly, but not for long, promise me”.

She was an amazing woman, mother, and friend. She will be dearly missed.

Our family wishes to express our deep appreciation to her caregivers, Cathy Black, Rebekah Black, Joanne Edmondson, whom we consider our extended family, and the precious staff of The Blakeford. Each of you gave her the respect, camaraderie, comfort, and loving care she deserved.

We will celebrate Frances’ life on Friday, April 28 at West End United Methodist Church beginning with visitation at 9:00am and followed by the service at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorials honoring her life be made to West End United Methodist Church, The Ensworth School, Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation or to the not-for-profit organization of your choice.