Edna I. V. Ross

Edna I. V. Ross, 100, of Springfield, died at 7:25 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at St. John's Hospital. Edna was born January 27, 1912 in Chattanooga, TN, the daughter of Arter and Nancy Jane Ellis Steward. She married Whitfield Ross in 1939 in Huntington, WV and he precedes her in death. Edna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Marshall University in Huntington, WV and taught middle school and high school English and Social Studies. She volunteered with the 4-H program and Home Extension in West Virginia. She loved the opportunity to teach young children and also enjoyed reading, especially literature, poetry and African-American History. In addition, she loved to research her family's history. She was also preceded in death by her parents and two sons, Maurice W. Ross and Gerald Eugene Ross. She is survived by her son, Donald S. (Naomi) Ross of Springfield; six grandchildren, Maurice W. Ross, Jr. of Albuquerque, NM, Sandra Ross of Denver, CO, Crystal Ross of Colorado Springs, CO, Janice and Cathy Ross, both of Columbus, OH, and Dawn Ross of Chicago; three great-grandchildren; siblings, Geneva Pass of Columbus, OH, Eugene Steward of Aurora, CO, and Alberta Ford of Columbus, OH; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 3, 2012 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Private family burial will be held in Colorado Springs, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Patrick's School, 1800 S. Grand Ave. E., Springfield, IL 62703.