Anna Lee Edwards

Beloved daughter of Louis John Edwards and Dixie Lee Davis Edwards peacefully passed away on February 21, 2023. She is the sixth of seven children born to the Edward’s family. In spite of all her traumatic suffering, she brought light, joy and unconditional love to all those she came in contact with.

Anna Lee lived at the East Millcreek Rehabilitation Center for 30 years. Anna Lee was born two months premature on April 9th, 1973, and was not expected to live. Due to having underdeveloped lungs and fluid around her heart, she was on 100% oxygen. She had an operation to drain the fluid which was helpful. She had a seizure. She had a rough time during those two months. Her official due date was June 2, 1973. The doctors said they could only keep her on oxygen for 2 months or it would be detrimental to her body. They said when they turned off the oxygen, she would either breathe on her own, or pass away. We were left with the decision to either keep her on the oxygen or take her off. Our Bishop, Bruce Lake, organized a ward fast that she would be able to breathe on her own. On her official due date, when they removed the oxygen, we were thrilled to experience the first miracle that happened in her young life.

For two years we had to keep her away from the family in a sterile environment in a bedroom upstairs. The doctors said if she caught a simple cold then she could die. This was such a hard time. She could hear the noise of her siblings playing the piano, rough housing and all the noises families make. She so wanted to be a part of it. The children wanted to come up and see their baby sister, so they would get scrubbed and come up one at a time and talk to her. They would tell her who they were, how their days were, and ask how her day was. She learned to love each one of her siblings and had a special relationship with each one. She never got a cold!

As her mother, I filled that time with reading stories to her and teaching her the Primary songs. I found out she could sing better than she could talk. The first time I sang “Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam” she sang along with me. That was so gratifying. She loved when I read her rhymes and would repeat them after me. One time I recited the poem, “Jack and Jill” to her. When it came to “Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after,” Anna Lee said, “Oh, that’s too bad.” She had a great sense of humor.

Anna Lee taught us many lessons, especially about love. She had unconditional love for everyone. When the Savior was on the earth, the scriptures recorded that He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Anna Lee suffered tremendous pain and loneliness. Being separated from her family was traumatic. But she bore it with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Well done, my good and faithful servant. We love you Anna Lee, and wait for the day we will see you again. We love you a bushel and a peck.

The family wishes to express their love and appreciation for all the loving care given in her behalf throughout her 50 years of life.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary Chapel in Millcreek, Utah: 3401 S Highland Drive. There will be a viewing one hour prior to the funeral.