Born
Tuesday, January 25, 1921
Died
Monday, June 28, 2010
Service
A graveside memorial service will be held in Ashland, Kentucky at a future date.
Obituary
Edwards, Margerette C. – 89, of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida (formerly of Ashland, Kentucky) died June 28, 2010 at home with her family by her side. Margerette’s birth on January 25, 1921 at home on Gartrell Hill foretold the way she would live her life—choosing to not just survive but to live life to the fullest. Born prematurely, she fit in her father’s palm, and they used a dresser drawer for her crib. Twice during her first year of life, they thought they had lost her to whooping cough. But she thrived, and by grade school, she would race the neighborhood boys home from Charles Russell School, beating them every time. At age 16, Margerette married the love of her life, Eugene Edwards. A photograph of them kissing at their 59th wedding anniversary party is a lasting reminder of the love that was the foundation of their lives. Margerette was one of the first married women to work for Armco Steel. A high school diploma was required for employment, so Margerette went to Ashland Community College to get her G.E.D. When the test administrator told Margerette that it was a two-day test, she replied that she only had one day so she wanted to get started. Much to the administrator’s surprise, Margerette not only completed the test in one day, she also received the highest score ever earned in Kentucky up until that time. In 1977, Margerette retired early from Armco so she and her husband, Eugene, could move to Indian Shores, Florida. For the next 20 years, she devoted herself to caring for Eugene, who had heart problems. Her diligent and loving care extended and enriched his life. Margerette and Eugene also lived for a few years in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in beach homes that she designed and had built; however they eventually returned to Florida. Margerette was an amazing cook, famous for her homemade biscuits, broccoli and cheese casserole, and beer battered fish. She and Eugene were a team, he would catch the fish and she would filet and fry them. She was also a skilled seamstress, who cut up her work dresses upon retiring and sewed them into shirt and short sets, perfect for life on the beach. Margerette was a devoted grandmother who encouraged her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be their best. She stressed the importance of education, reminded them to always be ladies or gentlemen, and acknowledged that each child had unique talents and strengths. Margerette was always smiling and ready to have fun. One night she stayed up until 4 a.m. watching the Three Stooges Marathon on TV with her great-grandson. Margerette was the picture of grace on the dance floor and when walking into a room. She continued line dancing into her 80s. Margerette never complained; she celebrated the blessings that each day brought. She loved watching the sun set over the Gulf and each night exclaimed over it as if it was her first time seeing it. Margerette was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Edwards; daughters, Pam Vaughan, Judy Ulrey and Margo Schackart; and an infant grandson, Cavin Vaughan. She is survived by eight grandchildren, Eric Vaughan (Indian Rocks Beach, FL), Margo Atkins (Williamsburg, OH), Sabrina Shattles (Cincinnati, OH), Lucretia Voigt (Nantucket, MA), Natalie Russell (Nyack, NY), Vickie Miller (Largo, FL), Meghan Vaughan (Las Vegas, NV) and Amy Vaughan (New Orleans, LA); and 15 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association.
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