Marion Edmundson

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Marion L. Edmundson, 93, formerly of Dexter, died June 12, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born Oct. 27, 1911, in the Edmonson Community south of Puxico, son of the late Samuel and Martha Ann Caldwell Edmundson, he served three years with the U.S. Army at Fort Logan, Colo., in the 35th Academic Squadron in engineering and operations and supply teaching, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant during World War II. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, held a master's degree in administration and supervision fro the Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., did advanced study, earning a Rank 1 teaching certificate in Florida and completed further graduate work at the Denver (Colo.) University.

As far back as he could remember, Edmundson wanted to be an educator. In 1949, he moved to Florida where he taught math in Green Cove Springs, In 1952, he moved to Tallahassee where he taught math at Cobb Junior High School for 20 years, a career interrupted by teaching math for three years at Oakridge High School in Orlando. Edmundson had earlier spent 14 years as a principal and teacher of math in schools in Puxico, Dexter and several other rural Missouri schools. While teaching in Dexter from 1947-1948, he was a leader on the high school senior trip to New Orleans. A member of the First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, his hobbies included gardening and fishing. He returned to Dexter in 1993, where he lived until moving to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau in January 1994.

Edmundson received many letters of commendation from his students, parents and supervisors for his devotion to his favorite subject, math. Though always eager to clarify math for his students, he felt math terms and symbols were second to the welfare of his student. "ML," as he was affectionately called, will be remembered as a compassionate, concerned and professional teacher.

While in Tallahassee, he was chairman of the Leon Classroom Teacher Association and was active in the North Florida Education Credit Union after his retirement in 1971. A Mason life member and member of the NFA National Mathematics Council, he was former president of the Classroom Teachers Association, served on the executive board of the Florida Education Association and was a member of the National Retarded Teachers Association.

On June 12, 1952, he married Ollene Coggin who preceded him in death on July 29, 1971.

Surviving are one brother, Levi Edmundson of Malden and other relatives and many friends.

He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Will Edmundson, Robert Edmundson, Herbert Edmundson and an infant brother; and three sister, Macie Cox, Bertie Cox and Lucy Henson.

Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with the Rev. Mike Watkins of Dexter officiating.

Burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Lee Memorial Park Cemetery in Tupelo, Miss.

Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter is in charge of arrangements.

Paid obituary