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SUSAN EDWARDS Of Albuquerque, a long-time Christian Educator in our community, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 30, 2011 after a brave four year struggle against ovarian cancer. Susan is survived by her husband of 30 years, Nathan Butler; daughters, Carin Logue of Atlanta, GA, and Christy Bess and husband Scott of Denver, CO; two grandsons, Michael and Matthew; siblings, Bob Edwards, Mary Sherden, Jane Cutrell, Phyllis Nielsen, Don Edwards, and Dick Edwards. She was preceded by her parents, Lester and Lorene (Hierman) Edwards of Ashland, IL; two siblings, Jim Edwards and Carol Rice. Born January 19, 1942 in a farmhouse in Ashland, IL, Susan's interest in Christian Education began in high school in the 1950's. She loved teaching Sunday school, was President of her Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) group, and received encouragement to consider a career in Christian Ed from her minister. She received her B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington-Normal, IL, in 1964 and did Graduate Studies for Certification as Director of Christian Education at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, in 1964-65. She worked as an Assistant Editor for Cokesbury at the Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, from 1966 to 1968. After moving to Albuquerque, she served as a Director of Religious Formation for 40 years at area churches including St. Mark's-on-the-Mesa Episcopal, St. Paul's United Methodist, Central United Methodist, and the Cathedral of St. John, where she received the title Canon Educator. Susan warmly welcomed those who visited her congregations, and she exhibited an extraordinary gift for helping other Christians discern their own gifts and ministries. She also worked nationally as a freelance consultant, writer and editor for churches and other clients. Susan wrote a children's book series about baby barnyard animals, illustrated by her husband and based in part on her early farm life, which was released by a New York publisher in 1989. She served on a number of boards, councils, and task forces in New Mexico, among them the Board of St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Day Care Center and the Governor's Day Care Task Force. Susan was also a Mentor in the Education for Ministry (EfM) Theological Education by Extension program administered by the University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, TN, and she introduced the Montessori-based Godly Play teaching system in Albuquerque. In her later years Susan was especially committed to the LOGOS Ministry for children, serving on their National Board, working as one of their Training School Leaders, and writing as a member of their curriculum team. She was a member of Chapter AU, PEO Sisterhood. Susan had a wonderful sense of humor, loved her family, and was an awesome wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a kind and loyal friend. Her impact in the Christian Education community is far-reaching; Generations of children and families have benefited from her influence. A Memorial Service will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. John on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Nursery care will be provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to LOGOS (thelogosministry.org) or to her husband's international visual-story literature ministry COMIX35 (comix35.org).
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