Petra Edwards' Obituary
Petra Meaning:
Gender: Girl
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Feminine
form of Peter, from the Greek petros,
meaning "stone or "rock". Petra is also an ancient city in what is now Jordan.
Our beautiful Petra was a treasured and strong sister. Her name
literally means, ‘The Rock’. She was precious, adamantly determined, and persistent. She was simple, kind hearted, compassionate, observant and quiet for the most part. She had an even temperament unless upset. Whether she was upset about what was going on
in the world, her surroundings, or simply those she loved and cared for, she was passionate about humanity and cared deeply for those who touched her life. She loved her family deeply, her siblings, her nieces and nephews, her cousins, aunts and uncles, inlaws,
ex-inlaws, and her church family. You may have seen her sitting in the back of a church service because she enjoyed observing others. She loved the Lord very much and was a devoted Christian. Petra, our beautiful sister, will be missed by many, we will cherish
and fervor her memories, her beautiful gifts, and messages she left behind.
Upon this Rock, I will build my church. Mathew 16:8.
Petra Edwards was the first born of her parents, a richly blended
family of Black/American, Mexican, Native American and European descent. The proud name ‘Edwards’ comes from her great grandfather Louis Vail Edwards (born in an enslaved household) becoming a heritage left for the family. Her mother, Estela Topete De Leon
(deceased), born in Jalisco, Mexican, later becoming a US citizen, and father, Elijah Edwards (deceased), born in Smackover, Arkansa later settling in Winnfield, Louisiana with his family. Her parents met in Roseville, California and married in 1953. Her mother
had a newly born child Gloria Curiel, and a child in Mexico, Adela De Leon. Her father had a child Elijah Edwards Jr. Her father would later raise her sister Gloria with her Petra.
Petra was born in 1954, in Guachinango, Jalisco in El Potrero Grande
and returned to the US three years after her mother was sent back to Mexico. A long time friend and godmother of both parents, ‘Nina’ Julia Hernandez (deceased), helped in the return of her mother and daughters, Gloria and Petra. Another couple, Mr. and Mrs.
Trevizo became very good friends with her parents and would later be supportive to them in the community nearby the railroad where most fathers worked. Petra went to school in Roseville High and later went to college where she would become a graduate student.
There she received her Master’s degree.
Our beautiful sister touched many lives everywhere she went. She
was incredibly intelligent, witty, and a delightful person to have a conversation with on just about any subject. After graduating at Sacramento State University she became a certified state counselor for the juvenile detention center, California Youth Authority.
She later retired. Before her position, she worked in various medical and counseling clinics. But her work didn’t end there. She later became a member at Calvary Christian Center where she served many years until her passing. There she volunteered and devoted
her time in the department of administration and bereavement. She often counseled those who needed advice and shared stories on how she would help the homeless by feeding them on many occasions. She empathetically related and worked with the unique dynamics,
qualities, and differences of others.
Our sister never married, although desired to do so. Although she
never had children, she became close to her siblings’ children; nieces and nephews. (I always told her she would have been a great mother because she was such a loving aunt).
Petra was a strong-willed, very private, and a sensitive person.
She often popped into family and friends' homes. She loved to eat delicious meals prepared by loved ones and those she grew up with. Some would say she was stubborn because she would not be pushed around, be told what to do or what she could not do - a strong
family trait. Stubborn at times like her/our father and quite compassionate like her/our mother. She always gave what she could with no remorse to those who needed help. She wasn't a fan of disorderly conduct or chaos. Nor did she agree with anyone making another
person feel bad about anything. (Not even commercials…especially commercials). She had her own opinions, thoughts, and her own ideas of what was right and or wrong. Still, she was always concerned about family matters. Even the family pets adored her. They
knew when she would arrive before coming to the doorway and would greet her with such enthusiasm and excitement. She often brought treats and ‘goodies’ for the family. The dogs and the family cat would come to sit on her lap. Her genuine essence was truly known
by her family, friends, and the animals of family and friends.
Petra was a respectful and respected family very much. She may have
had differences, but she always returned to family with a spirit of understanding, love, and compassion. She respected her brothers and sisters very much. She was a dear and kind hearted person to many. She especially loved gathering with her immediate family
members and closest friends.
Petra is survived by her two brothers Elijah Edwards Jr. and family,
Clemente Edwards and family, four sisters Adelina De Leon and family, Gloria Marie Curiel and family, and Mary Louise Edwards and family, and sister Lydia Edwards. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles, whom she loved all
very much. She was truly an awesome aunt to her nieces and nephews who loved her and will be greatly missed by them.
Petra's dream was to visit Israel one day, which she spoke of often.
Although this dream did not come to pass, I'm sure she desired to learn of this place because of her Savior's footsteps. She is with our Lord and Savior for eternity. For to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord. 2 Corithinas 5:6.
(Stories)
Mary Edwards:
“I can recall my sister telling me if I wanted her bedroom room,
then I would have to watch the Exorcist and then spend the night all by myself in her room. (Her bedroom was the back porch at the time). So I did. I'm not sure if I got her room but she often dared me and so I did. I can also recall her pulling me up from
my hair while I sunk into a hole in the water at Folsom Lake where our family had many gatherings. I was four or five at the time. And another time while someone tried to violate me how she called me which saved me from that bad person at the time. When I was
married, she was worried about me being mistreated. As soon as I arrived back from Hawaii, she immediately took my oldest son, Isaiah, into her arms. She helped me raise him and often took him with her when she would go to special events. As a child she worried
about me and as an adult she worried about me. When I was driving across the U.S. she often worried about me and would keep me in prayer. I asked her to come on the truck with me but she refused. She felt it was quite dangerous. I only wished I could have taken
her to some of those places so that she could experience what I did. Even when there were arguments as most siblings do, we would always reconnect with each other and made sure it didn’t last long. I will miss my sister dearly. She was my bigger sister and
I love her very much”.
What’s your fondest memory of Petra?
What’s a lesson you learned from Petra?
Share a story where Petra's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Petra you’ll never forget.
How did Petra make you smile?