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Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Simmons Edwards, 63, a resident of Severna Park for 35 years, died of breast cancer April 28 at home after a five-year illness.

Born Feb. 19, 1943, in Atlanta, Ga., and the daughter of the late Park and Blanche Simmons, Mrs. Edwards graduated as valedictorian from Tucker, Ga., High School in 1961 and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., in 1965. She pursued graduate studies at Trinity University in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Edwards was a teacher for more than 30 years in both the public and private sectors. She held an advanced professional teaching certificate in English and social studies, but her passion was in special education, her family said.

Before retiring in 1997 from the Anne Arundel County public school system, she taught at The Harbour School and Innovative Learning Center in Annapolis for eight years.

She was a member of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church since 1977, serving two terms on the vestry and in many ministries throughout the years, including as church school director and teacher. She was active with the youth group, educational resources and summer film series.

Her interests included watching movies, reading murder mysteries and books on spirituality and theology, attending plays, fishing, tropical fish and travel. Her favorite destination was Paris and her musical tastes ranged from classical to rock and roll.

Surviving are her husband of 40 years, John P. Edwards Jr.; two sons, John Park Edwards of Glen Burnie and Jason Edwards of Baltimore; a twin brother, Thomas Simmons of Irmo, S.C.; and one granddaughter. She was related to former president Jimmy Carter and met him personally at the Ansley family reunion in 2001.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 1601 Pleasant Plains Road, with burial in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265 or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401. Online condolences can be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com.

As published in "The Capital Newspaper" Annapolis, MD 05/02/2006

Directions to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 1601 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410 974-0200

From Route 2 South

US 50 East to Exit 28 BAY DALE DRIVE

Keep Left at the fork in the ramp

Turn Left onto FERGUSON ROAD

Turn right onto OLD MILL BOTTOM ROAD SOUTH

Turn Left onto MD-179 ST. MARGARET'S ROAD

Turn right onto PLEASANT PLAINS ROAD

A full obituary will appear soon.