Edwina Lorene Alvarez

Edwina Lorene Alvarez (Laird) was born on August 28th, 1937, to Charles and Ruby Laird.  Raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Edwina grew up with her extended family of females – Grandmother Mary Allie Thomas (Shamblin), Aunt Ruth Margaret Thomas, Mother Ruby Lorene Ryder (Thomas), and Sister Mary Margaret Windsor (Laird).  She quickly became known for her singing, reading, sewing, baking, and boundless kindness. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, embodying the true essence of optimism, forgiveness, and strength to the very end of her life.

While Edwina’s first priority was always caring for her family, she also engaged in music, baking and cake decorating, sewing, service, and her career.  Edwina sang in the First Christian Church Choir for over 45 years and with the Eastern Star for over 30 years.  She decorated the most delightful cakes for family, friends, and church functions enriching the lives of those around her. She was an excellent seamstress and made countless clothes and costumes for her children, grandchildren, and spouse, including suits, formal dresses, and a wedding dress. She served as the Director of the Good Samaritan Pantry for 22 years and was President of the Christian Women’s Fellowship several times. She participated in the Eastern Star for many years, serving as the Worthy Matron three times and received several Grand Appointments. She started her career at Southwestern Bell, as a talented telephone operator and worked again at MacDill AFB when her children were older. She worked at Celanese for 17 years and ended her career as a traffic coordinator in the logistics department. She enjoyed working with the trucking companies and ensuring that the supplies and shipments were safely and timely made.

Love was the cornerstone of Edwina's life. Edwina helped raise her younger sister Mary, relying on her own resourcefulness, hard work, and hope in the midst of struggle. Her grit only grew as she raised her son, Harold Elias-Perciful, and daughter, Linda Gayle Hill, as a young, single mother. Edwina’s life changed forever the night she met Arturo Alvarez Jr. Charmed by his handsome smile, twinkling eyes, and cynical yet light-hearted sense of humor, Edwina often reminisced that it was “love at first sight.”  Arturo and Edwina married on January 19th, 1963, and continued to raise Harold and Linda and expanded their family with Marie Terese Lopez, Arturo Alvarez III, and Rosita Lorene Alvarez.

Arturo and Edwina faced new challenges with their growing family.  However, it was through their faith in Jesus Christ and his divine mission of redemption and forgiveness—to forgive and be forgiven—that they were able to grow from past successes and failures and be shaped by the hands of God into the people He needed them to be. Edwina made sure her children and grandchildren knew they could achieve anything they aspired to. She imbued them with the love and confidence she wished for as a child.

A lifelong Christian, Edwina embraced challenges with resilience, kindness, and hope. Her positive outlook on life was contagious, uplifting those who had the privilege of sharing in her journey. To the very end, Edwina was known to be a friend to all, sharing her kindness through small daily acts, inspiring stories, and humor. She was a strong, loving woman who, despite many obstacles, continually used the balm of forgiveness to heal herself and others.

Edwina's memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were touched by her strength, friendship, and love. Her resourceful creativity continues in her grandchildren who have engaged in various creative pursuits including storytelling and crafting, dance, acting, music, baking, cake decorating, and handicrafts.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Arturo Alvarez, Jr.; daughter, Linda Hill; and parents, Charles Edgar Laird and Ruby Lorene (Thomas) Ryder.

Among those left to cherish her memory are her children, Harold, Marie, Arturo, and Rosita; half-brother, Russell Laird; stepmother Beverly Laird; 13 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren. May Edwina rejoice in heaven as she reunites with her beloved husband, cherished daughter, and divine Savior, Jesus Christ.

The family will receive condolences from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary; with a celebration of life service to be held at 7:00 p.m. A burial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery, Corpus Christi, TX.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.