HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-2026 Celebrating Mary Alice Edwards' 90th Birthday*1)
SPECIAL PROCLAMATION NO. 01-2026
A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION AWARDED BY COMMON COUNCIL SECOND DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVE, OPHELIA GOODEN-RODGERS, AND AT -LARGE COMMON COUNCIL
MEMBER, KAREN WHITE, CELEBRATING MARY ALICE WHITLOCK EDWARDS'
90TH BIRTHDAY
N, Mary Alice was born on February 1, 1936, in Trenton, Tennessee, and moved to South Bend, Indiana in
August of 1936, where she would build a life rooted in faith, family, service, and perseverance; and
G,fiansi, she grew up on Scott Street before moving to 1418 Washington Street, where her family became the first
(1st) African American homeowners on the 1400 block, marking a significant milestone in the history of the
neighborhood; and
Mary Alice attended Oliver Elementary School on Indiana Avenue and graduated from Central High
School in 1954, where she developed skills in shorthand, secretarial work, and sewing that would support her
lifelong dedication to hard work and excellence; and
she married in 1954 and devoted herself to raising five (5) children —three (3) daughters and two (2)
sons —while serving as a pillar of strength, guidance, and love within her family and community; and
61/412Td, Mary Alice faithfully served the Linden School community as secretary for the Parent-Teacher
Organization, demonstrating her commitment to education and youth development; and
O4 her professional career began at Essex Wire and concluded at Curtis Products, where she worked for over
twenty (20) years, retiring at the remarkable age of eighty (80) in 2016, exemplifying diligence, resilience, and
an unmatched work ethic; and
Mary Alice has been a devoted member of Lake Chapel Primitive Baptist Church since December 31.,
1964, when she joined during a Night Watch service, and faithfully served as Assistant Clerk and later Clerk,
including over thirty (30) years of service as Clerk with the Association; and
GACans her life reflects unwavering faith, servant leadership, and a legacy of breaking barriers, uplifting others,
and strengthening the community through quiet dedication and steadfast commitment.
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Waeanl. We honor and recognize Mary Alice for her extraordinary life, faithful service, and lasting contributions
to her family, church, and community, and we celebrate her as a trailblazer, matriarch, and inspiration to
generations past, present, and future.
Wer&saii. We look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you in the years ahead.
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In de Oa& iLitaana.
Ophli1 Gooden-Rodgers, 2
Representative
South Bend Common Council
Karen White, At -Large Council
Representative
South Bend Common Council