[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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