Helen Dowell Edmunds, of Abingdon, MD, passed away on April 3, 2017. She was 85.
Mrs. Edmunds was born in Champaign, Illinois, to Jesse and Lydia Dowell. She was the devoted wife of the late David Edmunds, loving mother of Nathan Luther Edmunds of West Chester, PA, Erik David Edmunds of Rugby, England, and Fawn Annette Palmer of Abingdon, MD. She had 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was the dear sister of Jesse Murray Dowell, Jr., of Champaign, IL, and the late David Howard Dowell and John Braham Dowell.
Mrs. Edmunds was extremely active is sports throughout her life, and was a Gold and Silver Medalist in the Senior Olympics for Swimming. She was a graduate of the University of Illinois, a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and was a University of Illinois Beauty in 1953. Mrs. Edmunds was a commercial artist before taking a position as an Occupational Therapist at Pilgrim State Hospital. Her hobbies included traveling, art, painting, playing the flute and trombone, boating, raising, riding and taking care of horses, sports, singing alto in community and church choirs, gardening and genealogy. She especially loved spending time with her family and being at the beach. She was a life-long United Merthodist and most recently and active member and deacon at Churchville Presbyterian Church.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM, at Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Road, Churchville, MD 21028. A Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 AM, at the church.The Rev. Dr. Stephen Melton will officiate. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.