Helen C. Edwards

Helen Carothers Edwards, 77, of Tallahassee, died on April 24, 2012, following an extended illness. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 27th, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, followed by a reception at the church. A private graveside service will be held prior to the memorial service. Born in Tampa in 1934, she grew up in Tallahassee and was an active member of the community and of the Florida State University family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a positive spirit. Always concerned for the welfare of others, she went out of her way to speak to everyone and make them feel welcome, and she never knew a stranger. She loved music and singing, cared for animals, was a talented athlete, and was a deeply treasured wife and mother who blessed us with her laughter and her strength of character.

She graduated from Leon High School in 1952, where she was named "Best All Around" and particularly enjoyed singing in the Melodears. Attending Florida State University on a teaching scholarship, she earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1956 and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. After college, she went to work for the FBI in Washington D.C. She loved her job there, which involved writing commendations for FBI agents. Returning to Tallahassee, she took a position as a 5th grade teacher at Hartsfield Elementary School, and she later worked for the Tenneco Oil Company, IBM, and for the Florida Legislature during session.

Her commitment to public service included extensive volunteer work. A longtime member of St. John's Episcopal Church, she volunteered there at the Lively Cafe and for the St. John's Market. Previously, she served on the Vestry at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Junior League of Tallahassee Sustainers, the Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association, and PEO (chapter CL). She also volunteered at TMH Auxiliary, Children's Medical Services, Meals on Wheels, Ronald McDonald Office, RSVP Advisory Council, Tallahassee Cold Night Shelter, Echo weekend meals, Leon County Schools, and the Leon County Sheriff's Department. She was the President of the Lincoln High School Band Boosters, and she never missed one of her daughters' sporting events.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Steve Edwards, Jr., daughter Ashley Carothers Edwards, and daughter Leigh Holladay Edwards. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancyanne Browne Carothers, and her nieces and nephews, Milton Washington Carothers III (of Aiken S.C.), Sarah Jane Carothers (of Sylva N.C.), Allison Carothers, Charles Graham Carothers, Jr. (of Tampa), and Melissa Anne Carothers Moon (of Houston), and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Brittney Carothers Harvey and JuliaAnne Carothers Harvey (both of Tallahassee), and Bryan Scott Moon, Jr., McKenzie Kathryn Moon, and Elisabeth Anne Moon (each of Houston). She was predeceased by her parents, Milton Washington Carothers, Jr., and Julia Holladay Stover Carothers. She was also predeceased by her twin brother, Charles Graham Carothers, Sr., and her older brother, Milton Stover Carothers.

She had a foundational belief in the importance of education, both as a teacher and in her advocacy for FSU. She had deep roots at FSU through three generations of her family being professors there, from the time her father was acting President and an Education professor, from when she completed her Education degree there, when she worked alongside her husband in fundraising endeavors when he was the Dean of the Faculties and a Professor of Physics, when her daughter Leigh became an English professor, and through all of her service as a lifetime member of the FSU Alumni Association. From hosting donors to being a Grand Marshal at the FSU Homecoming Parade, she was a dedicated ambassador for the university. She approached life with humor, integrity, dignity, and tenacity, and she was one of the most organized people you would ever want to meet. She was a wonderful, inspiring person who will be dearly missed. The family is grateful for the loving care given by family friend Kim Hinckley, and by Jennifer Smith and her other caregivers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of our Parks Foundation.