.Barbara Crowther Stuart Edwards of Montross and Richmond died peacefully on March 5, 2015, at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Virginia. Born on November 22, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Ruth Augusta Walker and Otis Henderson Crowther of Northumberland County, Virginia. She grew up on the family farm in Avalon, Virginia and attended schools in the area. Mrs. Edwards held degrees from Longwood University and Virginia Commonwealth University. She taught school in Fairfax County Public Schools as a young teacher, and later in Westmoreland County Public Schools for many years.
In 1948 she married Charles Edward Stuart, Jr. a Montross attorney, and started the first kindergarten in the area in 1953. Their marriage ended in divorce. Mr. Stuart died in 1983. She married Montross businessman, Simon Dorsey Edwards, Jr., in 1984. Mr. Edwards died in 1988. She was a member of Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, and a past member of the Westmoreland Woman’s Club, the Westmoreland Garden Club and The Fredericksburg Country Club.
She is survived by four children: Charles Edward Stuart III of Montross; Anne Ruth Stuart and Elizabeth Stuart Valentine, both of Fredericksburg; and The Hon. Richard Henry Stuart of Montross and Fredericksburg; four grandchildren, Katherine Corbin Valentine, Catherine Anne Stuart, Richard Henry Stuart, Jr., and Mary Elizabeth Stuart, all of Fredericksburg; a brother, Rudolph Prosser Crowther of Reedville, VA.; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she is pre-deceased by her grandson, Charles Edward Stuart IV of Montross; and her brother, Otis Cannon Crowther of Northumberland.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at The Welch Funeral Home, 17546 Kings Highway, Montross. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at her home, “Atwilton,” 440 Panorama Road, Montross, followed by a Reception. Honorary Pallbearers will be Otis Cannon Crowther, Jr., Rudolph Prosser Crowther, Jr., William Alvin Crowther, Richard Hinton Crowther, Jack Hanbery Ritter, Albert Stuart III, Carl L. Johnson, and Benjamin Battaile Morris.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
The Employee Christmas Fund, Accounting Department
Westminster Canterbury, 1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227

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