Dear Family & Friends,

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears for me but start out bravely with a gallant smile; and for my sake, and in my name live on and do all things the same. 

I lived a long and good life. I was born on September 18, 1924 in the back woods of Georgia (Barrow Country, GA.). My mother’s name was Ludella (Lula) Cox-Edwards and my father’s name was Pearl Edwards. I was the youngest and only girl. My older brothers were Leonard, Arby, and D.R. Edwards. 

When I was a young girl I left the sticks and went to finish high school in Atlanta, GA. I got a high school certificate from Booker T. Washington. When I was 19 years old I left Georgia and came to San Francisco to work and make a better life for myself. 

I worked in the Bayview-Hunter’s Point Shipyards from 1943-1945 in the machine shop as a machinist’s helper. Working there changed me. I really learned how to work. After the war I worked as a clerk for the U.S Forestry Service, later was a waitress, got married and started a family. In 1960, I began working as a lab technician at UC Berkeley’s Donner Laboratory until I retired in 1989. 

I was a devout Catholic and parishioner at All Hallow’s Catholic Church in San Francisco for well over 60 years. I was also an active member of the Alter’s Society and the Young Ladies Institute #182. 

I was blessed with 3 wonderful daughters, 3 amazing grandchildren, 4 precious great-grandchildren, an abundance of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

My last request was to be put to rest and for you all to go have lunch! Please believe that I am resting well and peacefully.

Love, Queenie

Queen leaves to cherish her memories, daughters, Linda Gipson-Gorman (Will Gorman), Benetta Gipson, and Greta Gipson-Lewis (Bryan Lewis); grandchildren, Risha Wallace (Fela Thomas), Michael Gipson-Carman, Ryan Lewis; and great-grandchildren, Ayo, Olu, Abi, and Ife Thomas, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to Duggan’s Serra Mortuary

Internment, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA