At her last breath Friday, March 25, Twila Brown Edwards was 77. Her talented mind had long been absorbed by a profound love for learning. She was valedictorian of her high school class and excelled intellectually in college. In 1957, her bright gifts of leadership led to an appointment as the A/G National Supervisor of the Deaf/Blind Ministries. She worked to support her husband's education, but eventually earned B. A.'s in Bible and English and M. A.'s in English and Bible. The highlights of her 25 year tenure at Evangel University include Department Chair and courses in N.T. Literature, Revelation, and Essential Christianity. These consistently large classes attracted students because of her engaging style, her intelligent spirituality, and her insistence that spiritual concepts become life-practical. Her considerable commitment to helping students integrate learning and life was developed more complexly in her exploration of the theological/literary literature of C. S. Lewis and the biblical teaching that men and women are unqualified equals. In her large Bible classes, students expanded their understanding of God/themselves, while her work with Lewis and women profoundly shaped spiritual visions. Twila began by teaching the conventions of fiction. Each course ended with oral reports of literary/spiritual growth gained through interaction with Lewis's fiction. Her ardent hope was that expanded abilities to read literature could be applied to more insightful reading of the Bible. Professor Edwards' extensive research convinced her of the biblical quality of her position. She insisted that the Bible gives no quarter to anyone who undermines an absolute equality for men/women. Many of her students matured past a hierarchical model and adopted a biblical position of equality for women. She believed that no Bible writer designated roles in which men lead and women follow. She scoffed at the illogical notion that ideal couples equally discuss issues, but designate men to make final decisions. She was deeply troubled by those who deny women spiritual leadership. She mourned the cultural inefficiency effected by macho vanity which sidelines women's gifts. Her husband of 52 years, Jim, her dear son's family, Craig, Tuesday, Vincent, and Madeleine, grieved at her long decline toward congestive heart failure. But they imagine her healed now in the arms of the Saviour. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with the service following at 7:00 p.m. at Evangel Temple (Battlefield at Luster). Her family urges, in lieu of flowers, generous contributions to the Twila Brown Edwards Endowed Scholarship, at Evangel University. Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com.