Helen Kerr Edwards passed away on December 31, 2009, at her son's home in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 100. Helen was born in Christian County Missouri on August 10, 1909 to Jefferson Calvin and Rosa Francis Phillips Kerr. She began her schooling at Bennett's grade school located in rural Christian County graduating after completing the 8th grade, she then went to Ozark Wesleyan Methodist School in Carthage, Missouri, for high school, and attended the University of Kansas where she graduated in three years with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Music. Helen attended Columbia University and the Julliard School of Music in New York City where she received the Masters of Arts degrees from both schools. After graduate school, she was hired by Southeastern State University, Durant, Oklahoma, to teach music where she remained for almost 25 years. It was in Durant where she met her husband, William L. Edwards, where they were both music teachers at Southeastern. They both continued post-masters studies at Columbia University and Julliard School of Music. During 1956, Helen and Bill moved to Springfield, and on September 1, 1956 opened their business: Edwards Tableware and Flowers. They continued their work together until the death of Bill Edwards on October 24, 1989. However, Helen kept the business open until the summer of 1995. Helen was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Springfield, a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a musical fraternity in New York City, and a past member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Durant, Oklahoma. She is survived by Fredrick Kerr Edwards and Cassie Edwards of Atlanta, Georgia, and their son William Jefferson Edwards of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by nephew, William Calvin Dennison and his family of Springfield, Missouri. There will be a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. on January 23, 2010 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, followed by a private burial at Delaware Cemetery, near the family home in Christian County. In lieu of flowers, Helen requested memorials be sent to the General Fund of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Springfield. Gorman-Scharpf is in charge of arrangements.