Wendell Dale Edwards Sr.

Life’s Reflection

On February 25, 1943, Wendell D. Edwards was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma to Charles and Essie Edwards.  Wendell was the baby of the family with three older siblings, Donald, Arthalia (Artie), and Everette.  Wendell was affectionately called Little Beaver, by relatives and close friends.  Growing up the four siblings were very close and also very talented. 

Wendell played the trombone and also the piano.  While matriculating through school Wendell played basketball, football, baseball, and tennis.  After playing a football game in the extreme cold, Wendell decided to make football a sport he enjoyed from the bleachers instead of as a player.  He did, however, continue playing the other three sports listed above.  As a pianist, Wendell led several choirs as Minister of Music, over his lifetime, beginning as a teenager. 

The Edwards family was very high on education and like his older siblings Wendell took Education very seriously.  Wendell graduated from the Oklahoma Public School System and from there went on to study at Central State in Oklahoma.  The last two years of his undergrad studies and also for his Masters, Wendell attended the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. 

Wendell became a teacher for a few short years in the Kansas City, Kansas school district before being summoned to the superintendent’s office where he was informed by O.L. Plucker he was going to be promoted to Elementary School Principal.  Wendell shared with his family that the promotion meant he was the youngest principal in the State of Kansas at that time. 

Upon moving to Kansas City, Wendell joined St. Peter C.M.E. Church where he became the Minister of Music and he served as a member of Steward Board 3. One of the highlights of Wendell’s tenure at St. Peter was the Gospel Album the music department completed under his leadership.

While at St. Peter Wendell met Ada Louise Thomas.  On November 30, 1968 Wendell and Ada married.  To their union was born Wendell D. Edwards, Jr., and Asha Lynne Edwards. 

Wendell was a strong principal who had a reputation of leading his schools into being removed from the “At-Risk List” in just one school year.  This ability opened many doors for Wendell which led to him serving 44 years as a school principal for three school districts, Kansas City, KS; Oklahoma City Public Schools; and the Columbus Ohio Public School System where he retired and spent the last years of his life.

Wendell enjoyed his retirement as he traveled, spent time with family and friends and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of his home.  On Friday, August 7, 2020 Wendell D. Edwards Sr. left his mortal body and put on immortality.  Wendell is survived by his son, Wendell D. Edwards II, and his daughter, Asha Lynne Edwards.  He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Adoreun Pratt (Aiminia); Whitney Edwards; Wendell Edwards; and Kezia Rono.  As an Uncle he is survived by a host of nieces and nephews.  A special thank you goes to Maurice Edwards; and Asha Edwards who cared for Wendell his last week in Columbus, OH and moved him to Kansas City before he died.

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