Shirley Ann Edwards

On Thursday, May 26, 2011 and Almighty and Merciful God summoned into His presence and gave eternal rest to SHIRLY ANN ROBERTS EDWARDS. Shirley was born on November 7, 1942. She was the seventh child and sixth daughter of William L. Roberts, Sr. and Alice T. Roberts of Baltimore, Maryland. Shirley was a pretty girl and an excellent student. She attended the Baltimore Public City School System and was a pioneer in desegregation Forest Park High School, from which she graduated in 1961. In 1962, Shirley embarked on a journey that would change her life forever. She became a student at Coppin State Teachers College, following in the footsteps of four older siblings. Shirley blossomed at Coppin both academically and socially. She was active as a Coppin Eagles cheerleader, a fraternity sweetheart and subsequently, was crowned Miss Coppin in 1965. She also met and fell in love with one of the baseball players, Sidney Edwards. Shirley graduated with honors from Coppin in 1966, with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at Pimlico Elementary School. In December of 1966, Shirley married her college sweetheart, Sidney. A year later the couple pursued graduate studies at Indiana University, Bloomington campus. Shirley received her Master’s Degree in Special Education in May of 1969. Later, Shirley returned to Coppin and became an instructor in Special Education. While she was teaching she completed her post graduate requirements at Union College and was just shy of obtaining her doctoral degree. Her tenure at Coppin ended in 2008 when her health precluded her return to her beloved students. She formally retired in 2009. During her career, Shirley taught and mentored hundreds of Maryland and foreign students who were pursuing degrees in Special Education. She was responsible for securing over a million dollars of grants funding for Coppin’s Special Education Program and Teaching Internships. Shirley was recognized for her efforts by many awards and citations. Shirley was next to the youngest of the seven Roberts sisters. The sisters work hard and serve their communities diligently, and constructively critique themselves but always with love. To see them together in any forum is a powerful and wonderful sight to behold. Some of the many things that Shirley enjoyed during her life were time spent with her dogs, her cooking, catering, and all family activities. She was a member of the Woodbourne Foundation Board, The Women’s Civic League, Wombwork Production, Inc., Baltimore Women for Obama. Coppin State Alumni Associate, and The Coppin State Women’s Symposium. Shirley was generous with her time and money to many organizations. In 2009 Shirley and her entire family were recognized as the 2009 sibling of the year, by Neighbor to Family Organization. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, oldest sister, Gloria R. Jubilee, younger brother, Albert Roberts and older brother William Roberts, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory: five loving and devoted sisters, Geraldine R. Walters, Carolyn M. Roberts, Veis R. Lee, Hilda Jane Roberts Wood and Ann Roberts; her beloved godchildren, Julie Wood Mattews (Kennard and Zoe), Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe (Boris, Sophie, and Nicolas) and Amani Harris Roberts; brother-in-law, William W. Wood; sister-in-law, Joyce Roberts; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, five great-great-nephews and her beloved dog Shira. She also leaves a host cousins, relatives, friends, colleagues, classmates and former students. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!!

Tributes

Shirley Ann Edwards

November 7, 1942 - May 26, 2011