Betty Joan Cool - Edwards

Betty Joan Cool, born February 13, 1929, in Lima County, Ohio, to Raymond A. Cool and Freda (Miller) Cool; died August 27 at her country home, Sparrowstage, near Rockford. She grew up in Springfield, Ohio; attended Wittenberg College; and was a 1951 graduate in sociology of Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana. September 7, 1952, she married C. Lowell Edwards, whom she met at school. Betty worked in the Indianapolis (IN) Public Library while Lowell attended medical school there, furthering her life-long devotion to reading and literacy education. As Lowell continued medical training in the United States Public Health Service, they brought four daughters into the world: one in Billings, Montana; one in Baltimore, Maryland; and two in Staten Island, New York. Settled in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in 1965 where Betty worked as a pre-school teacher while rearing the four Edwards girls. She and Lowell joined the United Church of Oak Ridge after having grown up in the Church of the Brethren. Moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1975. Joined Spring Creek United Church of Christ, where Betty continued serving as a teacher, quiet spiritual presence, and primary promoter of Heifer Project International (HPI), including a mission to HPI sites in Bolivia and Peru, South America. With Betty and Lowell’s leadership, Spring Creek Church earned an “Ark” designation for its outstanding contributions to HPI. As in her personal life, that work expressed her deep Brethren commitments to love, peace, and justice. In Rockford Betty also resumed her work promoting literacy. She and several other women founded the Laubach Literacy Group that in 1985 became the basis of the Rockford Literacy Council. Betty’s work as a literacy tutor continued for the rest of her life. Even after she entered hospice care in early 2016, her last learning partner met with her at home. She was also a founding member of the Spring Creek Church-School partnership as a tutor of school children. An avid gardener and naturalist, Betty was active with Wild Ones, Natural Land Institute, and Severson Dells Environmental Education Center, where she was a host and teacher. She was a generous contributor to Manchester (College) University, where numerous plaques note the Edwards’ generosity. In 2016 she sponsored two summer interns from the University’s Environmental Studies program, including an educator at Severson Dells. In 2006 Betty and Lowell Edwards were the first couple to receive the Touch a Life Award from the Alpine Kiwanis Club for their diverse contributions to the Rockford area that exemplified Kiwanis International values of local and international service to others. Betty is survived by her most treasured legacy, her family: daughters Marcia (John) Harris, Indianapolis, IN; Karla (Dr. Dan) McGrail, Cedar Rapids, IA; Krista Edwards (John Cline), Arlington, VA; and Lora McClelland (Michael Simmons), Rockford, IL; grandchildren Stephanie (Lee) Stone, Nick McGrail, Michele Harris, Mariel Cline, Cheyanne (Jenn) Silver, Chrissy Harris, Julia (Michael) Sauer, Donovan McClelland, Connor McClelland, and Jack Cline; great-grandchildren Abby, Johnny, and Betty Stone; and brother Larry Cool. Predeceased by husband, Dr. C. Lowell Edwards; brother, Robert Cool; and parents. Special thanks go to the generously caring people of ABLE Home Health and Hospice Care of America. A memorial service will be on Saturday, October 8, 5 PM, at the Severson Dells Environmental Education Center, 8786 Montague Rd, Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to Severson Dells Environmental Education Center, the Literacy Council (982 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103), or to Manchester University (manchester.edu). Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home Riverside Chapel.