[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 116 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO EDITH MAE JORDAN WILCOX

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my profound sadness at the 
passing of longtime Washington County, Alabama resident and community 
leader, Mrs. Edith Mae Jordan Wilcox, who passed away on July 12 at the 
age of 95 after an extended illness.
  ``Miss Edith''--as she was affectionately known--was born May 23, 
1916, in Spencer, Alabama. Her schooling began in the Yarbo one-room 
school house with her two older sisters. In 1932, she graduated from 
Murphy High School in Mobile. From there, she attended the University 
of Alabama where she received an A&S Degree in 1936 and an LLB Degree 
from the School of Law in 1939. Upon graduation from law school, she 
was admitted to the State Bar.
  Miss Edith and her husband, Roy, married on January 31, 1942. While 
he served in the Army Air Corps in New Guinea during World War II, Miss 
Edith became a very active community volunteer and a part of the 
family's land, timber, and mill business in Jordan.
  When Staff Sgt. Wilcox returned from service to his country, they 
established the Wilcox and Plemmons Sawmill Company. The company 
remained a vibrant part of the local economy until it closed in 1980.
  Throughout her life, Miss Edith was an avid volunteer. She was 
actively involved with the board of the Washington County Chapter of 
the American Red Cross, serving as chairman of the Red Cross Blood 
Program when it was first introduced in the county. She spent many 
years traveling throughout the state with the Bloodmobile.
  Miss Edith was a member of the committee that organized the 
Washington County Health Council and was appointed to the Washington 
County Hospital Board where she served for 10 years.
  She was elected State President of the Alabama Extension Homemaker's 
Council and was an active and founding member of the Washington County 
United Way. For all her volunteer service, Miss Edith was awarded with 
the Washington County Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1997.
  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years 
and served as state officer of the Alabama Grand Chapter. She was also 
one of the founding members of the Washington County Public Library and 
served on its board for over 20 years.
  In 2002, in recognition for her lifetime of remarkable achievement 
and public service, Miss Edith was inducted into the Washington County 
Hall of Fame and a plaque was placed in the courthouse in her honor.
  Today, Jordan-Wilcox Stadium at Washington County High School bears 
her family name as a tribute to her vision and generosity. She donated 
the land for the building of the Chatom Community Center that is also 
named for her.
  During her long and active life, Miss Edith traveled to over 60 
countries and throughout all fifty states. She established an art 
gallery in Chatom to showcase collectibles and memorabilia from her 
world travels. The Wilcox Gallery and Foundation will continue to 
educate and entertain the residents of Washington County for years to 
come.
  On behalf of the people of South Alabama, I extend my deepest 
condolences to Miss Edith's family, including her daughter, Susan 
Wilcox Turner and one granddaughter, Jordan Anne Garner. Miss Edith's 
memory will live on through her great legacy of service to our area.

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