Helen “Elaine” Casperson Edwards was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was always ready for an adventure. She loved talking about world events and paid attention to the small things that mattered in people’s lives. Elaine lived in Washington, NC from 1959-2010 except for 5 years in Goldsboro, NC. Two years ago, due to their increasing health problems, Elaine and her husband of 63 years Dr. Charles “Dan” Edwards moved to a retirement community in Nashville, TN to be closer to their daughter Karen Edwards. Elaine died at age 89 on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Born on October 15, 1923 in Frederic, WI, Elaine was the third daughter of C.B. and Ella Casperson. She attended Superior State Teachers College and then the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama. At UW, she was a student leader as the business manager for The Daily Cardinal and as a Residential Advisor. After graduation, Elaine taught speech and drama at Madison’s Central High School while Dan completed medical school.

After Dan graduated, his service in the US Navy took them to New Orleans, LA (where Karen was born); Jacksonville, FL; Arlington, VA; New London, CT (where Palmer Edwards was born); and Honolulu, HI. The family moved to Michigan in 1955 for Dan’s surgical training, then on to Washington, NC to begin his medical practice in 1959. In Washington, Elaine was the business manager for Dan’s general surgery practice, and enjoyed raising their children, painting with watercolors, and being with friends. She prepared meticulously for grandchildren’s visits, customizing special food or activities that each child enjoyed to make their visits special. She loved exploring eastern NC and was an active volunteer with the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation and Meals on Wheels.

Elaine is survived by her husband Dan; daughter Karen Edwards and husband John Rieser of Nashville, TN; and son Palmer Edwards and wife Marty of Winston-Salem, NC. She was very proud of her five grandchildren — Michael Rieser of San Francisco, CA; Katie Rieser of Cambridge, MA; Julie Edwards of Los Angeles, CA; Emily Edwards of Austin, TX; and Susan Edwards of Winston-Salem, NC.

A memorial service was held Monday, December 31, at 2:00 p.m. in the Belle Meade Room at The Cumberland at Green Hills, 15 Burton Hills Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215.  Condolences may be sent to
Dan at The Cumberland, Apt. 327. Memorials may be made to
the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation, PO Box 1854, Washington, NC 27889.