Geraldine "Jerre" Edwards, 89, Springfield, Missouri, formerly of Emporia, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2013 in Cox Medical Center South. She was born May 6, 1924 to Giles Edwin Russell and Bessie Frances Nolker Russell. Jerre graduated in 1945 from Emporia State University, formerly Kansas State Teachers' College, with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, the start of a lifelong love affair with teaching and mentoring. She continued her quest for learning by earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1980, also from ESU. During her career, she taught at all levels, including college at ESU. She was a nationally recognized teacher of native folk dances, teaching not just the mechanics of the dances but also the origins and history of each one. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha at ESU and served as its longtime Faculty Advisor. Jerre was married July 3, 1946 to Melvin Lloyd Edwards at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Emporia, where they were longtime members. Lloyd became the "boy next door" when he moved to Emporia to attend college. They married following his return from WWII, and pursued their teaching careers together. They were blessed with a wonderful 55 year marriage, sharing many joys and supporting each other during their trials. They loved to dance, travel, and play all sorts of games. They especially loved the time they spent with their grandchildren. Jerre was preceded in death by Lloyd, daughter Susan Adderton, son-in-law Terry Russell, grandson Joe Russell, her parents and sister Mary Emily Elving, and Lloyd's parents Melvin Lacy and Ida Faye Cavin Edwards. She was greatly loved and will be missed by daughter and son-in-law Jane and Ed Mellers of Springfield; son and daughter-in-law Russ and Joan Edwards of Loveland, OH; son-in-law Douglas Adderton of St. Louis; also, granddaughters Ashley Yakes (Michael) of Lake Forest, IL.; Rachel Aarden (Jeroen) of Basel, Switzerland; Clarice Edwards of Pittsburgh, PA and Missy Kehrli (Adam) and Madeline Mellers, both of Denver, CO; great grandchildren Katherine, Elizabeth, and Margaret Yakes; Tess, Meret, and Willem Aarden; Olivia and Harper Russell and their mother Crystal Clark; and Jackson and Paige Kehrli. She is also survived by Lloyd's brothers and sisters Joe Edwards, Helen Stubby, Donald Edwards, Reva Hern, and Pat Bryant; many dear nieces and nephews; special cousin, W.F. Kempe., and a host of friends and former students whose lives she touched. The family would like to thank her doctors, especially Dr. Martin Schudy, and the nurses and professional staff of Cox Medical Center for their comforting and attentive care. We are also thankful for the care she received from Oxford Home Health Care. Funeral Services and Committal will be Monday, September 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 601 East Walnut, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. A reception in the Church Parish Hall will follow the service. Both Jerre and Lloyd, who was a professor at ESU, were especially supportive of and passionate about their non-traditional students. In lieu of flowers, and to honor their parents and benefit those students, the family has established the Jerre and Lloyd Edwards Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801.