[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H6680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING AUNITA TRIDORIS HUDSON-EDWARDS

  (Ms. WATSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to read words of reflection about one 
who believed who just passed away, and read this scripture, ``God had 
the power to work within her and to accomplish abundantly far more than 
all she could ask or imagine.''
  Aunita T. Hudson-Edwards was born to Levi Hudson and Elnora Davis 
Hudson on September 20, 1915 in Carthage, Texas. She was the first of 
three children, and she just recently passed away. When she married 
Frank Edwards, she enjoyed parenting four children. Many of you might 
know Willis Edwards, Brenda Joe Edwards and Edward Earl and Frank. In 
California she worked as a teacher in Palm Springs Unified School 
District for 15 years and found herself taking in children who had no 
one else to claim them. She was active in the community, and as a quiet 
force demonstrated her trail-blazing tendency by founding the Palm 
Springs Chapter of the NAACP and joining as a founding member of the 
First Baptist Church. She was a life member of the NAACP.
  Mr. Speaker, she was a stateswoman, this woman that we pay tribute as 
she passes on. She enjoyed coming here to the White House during the 
Clinton and Bush administrations and tended two Congressional Gold 
Medal ceremonies, one for Rosa Parks and the recent ceremony for 
Dorothy Height. She loved going to the NAACP national conventions. She 
was a great soul we will always remember, and wish that her legacy 
would produce more like Aunita T. Hudson-Edwards.

                  Mrs. Aunita TriDoris Hudson-Edwards

       Words of Reflection about one who believed--
       ``God had the power to work within (her) and to accomplish 
     abundantly far more than all (she) could ask or imagine . . 
     .'' Ephesians 3:20 (NRSV)
       Aunita T. Hudson-Edwards was born to Levi Hudson and Elnora 
     Davis Hudson on Sept. 20, 1915 in Carthage, Texas. She was 
     the first of three children. She attended public school in 
     Carthage, Texas and graduated from Bishop College, Marshall, 
     Texas. She taught in the Texas public school system for many 
     years. At an early age she united with Bethlehem Baptist 
     Church of Carthage and remained active until she relocated to 
     California.
       She married Frank Edwards and enjoyed parenting four 
     children, Willis, Brenda Jo, Edward Earl, and Frank. In 
     California she worked as a teacher in the Palm Springs 
     Unified School System for 15 years and found herself ``taking 
     in'' children who had no one to claim them. She was active in 
     the community, and as a quiet force demonstrated her 
     trailblazing tendencies by founding the Palm Springs chapter 
     of the NAACP and joining as a founding member of the First 
     Baptist Church. She was a life member of the NAACP.
       As an elder stateswoman she enjoyed accompanying Willis to 
     the White House during the Clinton and Bush Administrations, 
     and attended two Congressional Gold Medal ceremonies (Rosa 
     Parks and Dorothy Height), NAACP national conventions, 
     Congressional Black Caucus weekends, NAACP Image Awards, and 
     numerous awards and community service events.
       Aunita T. Hudson-Edwards departed this life July 19, 2004. 
     She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her sister, 
     Nelva J. Thomas and brother, Hodges Hudson, both of Kansas 
     City, MO and her son Edward Earl. She leaves to cherish her 
     memory, a son, Willis Edwards of Los Angeles, CA; a daughter, 
     Brenda Joe Pine of Palm Springs, CA; a son Frank Edwards of 
     Northridge, CA; grandchildren: Kisha Dixon, Zachary Clayton, 
     Renita Pine, Natalie Edwards, Antoinette Pine, Charlotte 
     Pine, Derrick Pine, Teresa (Kent) Taylor, Tanya (Kenneth) 
     Molinelli, Karon (Lennard) Lehman, and Sharon Edwards; great-
     grandchildren: Devian, Fanasha, David, Demaria, Kadisha, 
     Eric, Sierra, Alonzo, Jr, Demitra, Tony, Alonzo, Jason, Jr., 
     Jordan, Deshaun, Delawn, Derrian, Armani, Sherlita, Juan, 
     Vivianna, Derrick Jordan, DeMond, Jade, Arika, Eleana, 
     Suamana (Bright), Mattias, Christian, Michelle, Heather, and 
     Thomas; a nephew, Perry C. Daniels of Longview, TX; a niece, 
     Gwendolyn C. Moore of Miami, FL; niece, Jacquetta J. West of 
     Kansas City, MO; brother-in-law, Dr. Jackson Thomas of Kansas 
     City, MO. She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews in 
     addition to the many relatives and friends in California and 
     Texas.
       Aunita TriDoris Hudson-Edwards made herself available to be 
     used by God. Because of her, young people were rescued, 
     communities were activated, churches fulfilled their 
     ministries, and her family was blessed.
       Thank you, Mother Aunita, for giving us so much--We pledge 
     to honor your legacy of humble service with the establishment 
     of a computer lab for senior citizens at the First Baptist 
     Church of Palm Springs sponsored by the Tavis Smiley 
     Foundation and the Aunita TriDoris Hudson-Edwards Scholarship 
     Fund in your name. Until we meet again!
                                                    July 21, 2004.

               Homegoing Services for Willis Edwards' Mom

       We mourn not because she is lost, for God has taken her 
     home, but because we will miss her. Yet, we are assured that 
     if we are faithful, that parting will be only for a short 
     while. We thank God that Mother Edwards came our way and 
     loved us. Willis Edwards has asked that you, his extended 
     family and friends know of the Homegoing Services for his 
     Mom--


                     aunita tridoris hudson-edwards

       Service in Los Angeles, Saturday, July 24, 2004, 11:00 AM, 
     Ward AME Church, 1177 W. 25th Street, Los Angeles, CA.
       Rev. Norman D. Copeland, Pastor and Officiant, Bishop 
     Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, Eulogist.
       Service in Palm Springs, Tuesday, July 27, 2004, 11:00 AM, 
     First Baptist Church, 588 Las Vegas Road, Palm Springs, CA.
       Rev. Rodney S. Croom, Officiant/Pastor.
       Services conducted by: Agape Funeral Home--4250 South 
     Central Avenue--Los Angeles, CA.
       For those who have inquired, in lieu of flowers you may 
     want to make a contribution to the Aunita Tridoris Hudson-
     Edwards Scholarship Fund to provide assistance to young 
     people pursuing college and/or graduate degrees.

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