Barbara Joy Edwards

Major Barbara Edwards, was Promoted to Glory from Royal Adelaide Hospital early on Tuesday night January 6, 2016. Her niece, Sue Pitman, and nephews David and Michael Pitman, and her Retired Officers chaplain, Major Dulcie Parnell, were by her side during her final hours. Barbara was 87 ½ years old. As a young girl, Barbara was brought up in a strong Christian family living in Glenunga. She went to Unley High School before going to the University of Adelaide Teachers College to train to become an infant teacher. She was a teacher for over 4 years. In response to a higher calling from God, Barbara gave her life to Him in full-time service to become a Salvation Army Officer. She entered the Melbourne Training College from the Unley Corps on March 25, 1953 joining the other cadets in the Heralds session. She was commissioned on January 11, 1954. Barbara was appointed as Assistant Corps Officer at Kent Town in South Australia before she sailed for the Caribbean Territory on missionary service at Listowel Boy’s School in the remote western region of Belize. After over 2 years there, she returned to Australia in October 1957 and took up an appointment in the THQ Women’s Social Office in Melbourne. She was next appointed to Hillcrest in Western Australia, then back to THQ in the YP department responsible for the Postal Sunday School. She spent some time in the Education and Candidate’s Department before moving back to Perth in the Men’s Social Office. Her next appointment was as Divisional Secretary in West Australia then Divisional Secretary in South Australia. On January 13, 1977 she was appointed as Secretary at the McBride Maternity Hospital before moving to Sunset Lodge in South Australia as bookkeeper for the final 7 1/2 years before entering honourable retirement on June 1, 1988. It has been said of Barbara that she was a very quiet and gentle lady. She radiated a sense of peace that came from her love of her Lord and Saviour and the perfect peace He brings. Although limited in her physical strength, she gave of her all in service. She was committed to her work and was widely known for her meticulous attention to detail in all she did. Her Christ-like gentleness was felt by the people she looked after and many others whom she came in contact with. She was a caring daughter to her aged mother in her retirement years and a fond aunt whose letters kept Sue up to date during many years of absence from Adelaide. She was also a gifted musician, a natural talent inherited from her parents, and could converse in the French and Spanish languages.

“At peace with my God, and how can it be, except by the love of Jesus for me. Anxiety gone, sins under the blood, and I am at peace, at peace with my God.” Richard Slater (1854 – 1939)