Carol Ann Edwards

Born in Akron, Ohio on December 9th, 1942, Carol Ann (Becker) Edwards was the eldest child of Frederick and Ruth Becker. She and her family moved to Brazil for a large portion of her childhood, which perhaps provided inspiration for her lifelong love of languages and travel. Upon returning to America when she was 12, her family resided in a variety of states - Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. Carol attended Albion College and later transferred to Indiana University where she graduated with a degree in Spanish in 1964. During her college days, Carol enjoyed playing the guitar and dabbled in singing folk music (her future children enjoyed this very much as well). After graduation, she was soon hired by the NSA (aka No Such Agency) and began her career as an analyst. Soon after beginning her career, she met her current (and only) husband William (Bill) Edwards on a blind date. After deciding that perhaps they did like each other after all, they married in 1967 and soon settled in Greenbelt, MD with their pair of wire-haired fox terriers. Later, Carol and Bill moved to Bowie, MD and had two children, Katie and Billy. During the mid to late 1970s, Carol took time away from her career to raise her children and help her husband begin his law practice. Somehow, in the midst of all the hubbub of raising children, she also found time to earn her pilot’s license. After returning to her career at NSA, Carol worked hard and was honored with numerous awards; eventually, she found herself promoted to the role of supervisor. While Carol was a career-minded woman, she also was extremely devoted to her family. She took an earlier work shift in order to encourage her children's passions and to be present at their sports practices and rehearsals. Upon retiring, Carol and Bill made a brief, frigid move to upstate New York. After a year of record-breaking snowfall, they reconsidered their retirement dream, and relocated to Chestertown, MD. During her retirement, Carol was a frequent visitor to Florida, where she was able to be an active presence in the lives of her three grandchildren. Carol was extremely active in her community. She was a member of KART (Kent Association of Riding Therapy), sang in the Chester River Chorale as well as the 100 Voices Choir, and was active in the All Seasons Garden Club. However, perhaps her most important activity was helping out her local Collie rescue. Together, Bill and Carol were devoted rescuers of four Collies and an Australian Shepherd, two of which were blind. With one of the collies, she was an active participant in therapy dog visits to local nursing homes. As in her childhood, travel was always a large part of Carol’s life. Over her lifetime, she traveled to Austria, Switzerland, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, Japan, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and Barbados. But, perhaps she was at her most happiest when she was skiing in the Rockies or relaxing on the beach in Hatteras, NC. Carol is lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years William Edwards II, her daughter Kathryn Chesler (Richard), son William Edwards III, and her three grandchildren, Dylan, Duncan, and Vivian Chesler. In addition, she is deeply cherished by her three siblings, Martha Valen, Margaret Santarelli (Richard), Frederick Becker (Lisa), and brother in law Stanley Edwards Jr. A private memorial service will be held later in the fall. Those wishing to honor her life may make donations to Collie Rescue (https://ww2.savecollies.org) or their local animal shelter.

Carol Ann Edwards

December 9, 1942 - August 27, 2025