1921
Theresa
2008
Theresa Amato Dr. Edwards
February 5, 1921 — June 22, 2008
Dr. Theresa Amato Edwards (87) of Beckley died peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 22, 2008, after a short illness. Born in 1921 in Winding Gulf, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore 'Sam' and Rosalia 'Mrs. Sam' Amato of Pemberton and the cherished wife of 54 years of the late Dr. Francis L. Edwards. She was the beloved sister of the late Antoinette (nee Amato) Alaimo, Emanuel Amato, Catherine Amato, Angeline Amato, Guy Amato, and Gerlanda ('Jennie') Amato, and sister-in-law of Irma Amato and the late James Alaimo and Kay Amato. She is survived by her three children, Francis II and his wife Carol, Samuel Charles and his wife Charlotte, and D. R. and her husband Warren Browne; by her grandchildren, Jennifer Phillips and her husband Jonathan, Elaina Edwards, and Chandler Edwards Browne; by her new baby great-granddaughter Catherine Elizabeth Phillips; and by many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Dr. Edwards graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1939 and from West Virginia University in 1943. She attended Tulane University Graduate School of Social Work, Loyola University in New Orleans, and graduated from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland Dental School, with her DDS in 1948.
A pioneer woman in dentistry, she had a long, illustrious, and ground-breaking career. From 1948 through 1950 Dr. Edwards practiced for the Maryland Department of Health in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the United States Army at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland. Then Dr. Edwards, along with her husband, returned to Beckley and practiced dentistry for 50 years. In addition to her private practice, she was on staff at Raleigh General Hospital, was attending dentist at the Beckley Veterans Hospital, was the director of the Raleigh County Dental Health Council, and was instrumental in establishing the Raleigh County Children's Dental Health Clinic.
Over the course of her remarkable life and career, she served in many positions and received numerous honors and awards. Dr. Edwards was not only the first woman president of the New River Dental Society, but also the first woman president of the West Virginia Dental Society. She was instrumental in establishing the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1957. She received the Distinguished West Virginian Award for outstanding achievement and meritorious service from Governor Underwood in 1999; and she was named 'West Virginia Italian American Woman of the Year' for 1999. She was made an Honorary Member of the Alpha Chapter of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, National Dental Honor Society, for her outstanding contribution to the art, science, and literature of dentistry. She was elected to the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. She was named in 'Who's Who in American Women,' 'Personalities of the South,' and 'Who's Who in the West Virginia Historical Society.' She was chosen as one of the 'Women of Accomplishment' during the West Virginia International Women's Year. She was the recipient of the West Virginia Woman's Club State Award 'Today's Woman' for her outstanding contributions in science and the State Award of the American Association of University Women. She was named Outstanding Woman of Beckley in 1972. She was recognized by the Southern West Virginia Health Council for her contributions to health care in Southern West Virginia in 1988. At her 50th reunion from Woodrow Wilson High School, her classmates recognized her as the 'Woman of Accomplishment;' and she was selected as the 'Most Outstanding Graduate of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Class of 1948' by her classmates at their 50th reunion.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Edwards was active in numerous social, civic, and religious organizations including the Beckley Woman's Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where she was a leader in establishing the St. Francis de Sales School.
Of all her achievements, she was most proud of her family including her parents, her brothers, her sisters, and her children.
A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Beckley with the Msgr. Samuel S. Sacus officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at Calfee Funeral Home, with the scripture service conducted at 8 p.m. by Deacon W. Donald Wise. Pallbearers will be Samuel Chase Amato, Joe Amato, Harry Amato, Guy Amato, Samuel Thomas Amato, Warren Browne, Jonathan Phillips, Ralph Beckett, and Roger Grove. Dr. James T. Farris will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Contributions may be made in Dr. Edwards's memory via the Beckley Area Foundation 129 Main Street, Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801 to the fund that she and her husband established upon their retirement, the Dr. Theresa Amato Edwards and Dr. Francis Leon Edwards United Way Fund. Contributions may also be made in her honor to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church or the church of your choice.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, 800 S. Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
Dr. Edwards graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1939 and from West Virginia University in 1943. She attended Tulane University Graduate School of Social Work, Loyola University in New Orleans, and graduated from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland Dental School, with her DDS in 1948.
A pioneer woman in dentistry, she had a long, illustrious, and ground-breaking career. From 1948 through 1950 Dr. Edwards practiced for the Maryland Department of Health in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the United States Army at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland. Then Dr. Edwards, along with her husband, returned to Beckley and practiced dentistry for 50 years. In addition to her private practice, she was on staff at Raleigh General Hospital, was attending dentist at the Beckley Veterans Hospital, was the director of the Raleigh County Dental Health Council, and was instrumental in establishing the Raleigh County Children's Dental Health Clinic.
Over the course of her remarkable life and career, she served in many positions and received numerous honors and awards. Dr. Edwards was not only the first woman president of the New River Dental Society, but also the first woman president of the West Virginia Dental Society. She was instrumental in establishing the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1957. She received the Distinguished West Virginian Award for outstanding achievement and meritorious service from Governor Underwood in 1999; and she was named 'West Virginia Italian American Woman of the Year' for 1999. She was made an Honorary Member of the Alpha Chapter of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, National Dental Honor Society, for her outstanding contribution to the art, science, and literature of dentistry. She was elected to the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. She was named in 'Who's Who in American Women,' 'Personalities of the South,' and 'Who's Who in the West Virginia Historical Society.' She was chosen as one of the 'Women of Accomplishment' during the West Virginia International Women's Year. She was the recipient of the West Virginia Woman's Club State Award 'Today's Woman' for her outstanding contributions in science and the State Award of the American Association of University Women. She was named Outstanding Woman of Beckley in 1972. She was recognized by the Southern West Virginia Health Council for her contributions to health care in Southern West Virginia in 1988. At her 50th reunion from Woodrow Wilson High School, her classmates recognized her as the 'Woman of Accomplishment;' and she was selected as the 'Most Outstanding Graduate of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Class of 1948' by her classmates at their 50th reunion.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Edwards was active in numerous social, civic, and religious organizations including the Beckley Woman's Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where she was a leader in establishing the St. Francis de Sales School.
Of all her achievements, she was most proud of her family including her parents, her brothers, her sisters, and her children.
A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Beckley with the Msgr. Samuel S. Sacus officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at Calfee Funeral Home, with the scripture service conducted at 8 p.m. by Deacon W. Donald Wise. Pallbearers will be Samuel Chase Amato, Joe Amato, Harry Amato, Guy Amato, Samuel Thomas Amato, Warren Browne, Jonathan Phillips, Ralph Beckett, and Roger Grove. Dr. James T. Farris will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Contributions may be made in Dr. Edwards's memory via the Beckley Area Foundation 129 Main Street, Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801 to the fund that she and her husband established upon their retirement, the Dr. Theresa Amato Edwards and Dr. Francis Leon Edwards United Way Fund. Contributions may also be made in her honor to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church or the church of your choice.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, 800 S. Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
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