The Rev. Carol Edwards

The Rev. Carol Edwards died on August 22, 2013 in an Abingdon, Virginia hospice. Carol was born in Pacific Palisades, CA, three days before Christmas, 1924. Her love of children drew her to teach, then direct an early education children’s program in Santa Monica. She received her formal training in human development and education at the Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena.

An active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Monica before being hired as their Director of Religious Education, they later ordained her as Minister of Religious Education. In 1988 she was called as Minister of Religious Education to the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, CA.

In 1991, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Starr King School for the Ministry for her outstanding work as a pioneering Minister of Religious Education. She served as President of the Unitarian Universalist Liberal Religious Educators Association from 1985-87.

After retiring from professional ministry in 1994, Carol moved to Abingdon, VA in 2003, where she helped develop an intentional co-housing community and became one of its first residents. Over the years Carol’s declining energy created a growing desire for simplicity in her life, and “Keep it Simple” became her motto. This extended to her spiritual life and during her last few years she became a Quaker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Carol’s name may be made to Heal the Ocean, P.O. Box 90106, Santa Barbara, CA 93190; or the Head Start Program, c/o the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara, 5638 Hollister Ave. Suite 230, Goleta, CA 93117.