Beatrice Edwards

Beatrice (Bea) Squires Edwards, 63 from Zionsville, IN left this earthly place on Monday, December 24, 2012 to join many loved ones in a spiritual world that is filled with love, peace, harmony, and grace. Bea was born on September 3, 1949 to Harry and Julie Williamson in Aynor, S.C. In her early adolescent years, she was adopted by her maternal grandparents, E.J. (Bud) and Alice Squires. Bea graduated from Aynor High School and was actively involved in many service/academic clubs and was a member of the color guard for the Marching Blue Jackets Band. She continued her academic goals with degrees from Spartanburg College, a B.S. degree from Eastern Carolina University and a Master of Arts degree from Nova Southeastern University. She excelled academically and was selected as a Who's Who among Young Women in America. Bea began her teaching career as a librarian at Rochelle Elementary School in Kinston, N.C. She continued her career development as a librarian at Father Flanagan High School (Boys Town), Omaha, NE., and completed her career as a Media Specialist for the Zionsville Community Schools, Zionsville, IN. During those professional years, she developed keen aptitudes in technology and research and dedicated numerous hours to making the learning environment the absolute best for middle school students. Bea was married to James (Jimmy) Kelly Edwards (43 years) and was a loving, devoted mother to James Kristopher, and Adam Squires both from Indianapolis, IN. The sense of family connectivity was of the utmost importance to Bea, as she worked diligently to ensure her sons had positive life- long values, respected the diversity of the world, and lived with an attitude to make a positive change in our society. Bea shared her skills and positive energy with many organizations. She was a member the Indianapolis Chapter PEO, American Women of Surrey, (England) Delta Kappa Gamma, Zionsville Women's Club, Boone County Retired Teachers, Zionsville Lions Club, Big Sisters of Indiana, Pleasant View Elementary Retired Teachers, and served on the Advisory Panel for St. Vincent's Women's Hospital, as well as being an active board member for Hussey-Mayfield Library, Zionsville, IN. When someone thinks about their legacy, it is a revealing reflection about their life's intention, their sense of purpose, their contributions to a complex world, and the depth of peace and serenity within their soul. Bea lived her life with all these thoughts as she walked through the beautiful garden of life planting seeds of education, travel, reading, boating, gardening, community service, and philanthropy. Along life's pathway, she became a mother to two sons (Kris and Adam), whom she loved with every beat of her giving heart and every breath of her nurturing soul. Bea never really wanted to be in the limelight, but as she danced through life her presence changed the natural landscape. Her smile, beauty, laughter, humility, and positive attitude made this world a little brighter for all of us. She earned many awards and special recognitions from all walks of life, but her actions were driven by her inner voice that always asked "what can I do to make this life a better life for others?" Her legacy expands beyond buildings, halls, fields, and highways. Bea's legacy became a personal connection with friends, family, Christians, students, colleagues, needy children around the globe, and the person she just met at the shoe store. We are blessed to have loved her, known her and connected with her as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, or friend. Her enduring gentleness, compassion, and love will always reside in the hearts of her husband, children, family, and friends forever. Someday, we will join her new band of angels, and Bea will be helping us find our place in this band of glory, love, and peace. Bea is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy; sons, Kris and Adam; and six siblings who include Jurilee Williamson of Aynor, SC, Texalee Altman of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Buddy Williamson (Barbara) of Rains, SC, Elsie Osborne of Aynor, SC, Dawson Williamson(Eva Mae) of Aynor, SC, and Linda Barnhill(Bill) of Galivants Ferry, SC. She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving sister, Eunice Peavey, Galivants Ferry ,SC. Visitation services will be held on Friday, December 28, 2012, 4-8 pm, at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, Zionsville, IN, and a Celebration of life Service will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012, 11 am, at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, In. A combined visitation/memorial service will be held on January 1, 2013 with visitation at 10-11 am and service at 11am at Johnson Funeral Home, Aynor, SC. She will be buried in the Williamson Family Cemetery, Aynor, SC. Arrangements for the Indiana services will be managed by Flanner and Buchanan of Zionsville, IN. and the South Carolina services will be managed by Johnson Funeral Home of Aynor, SC.