MSU Athletics Remembers A Great Racer – Saundra Edwards
5/20/2021 12:13:00 PM | General, Hall of Fame
Athletics staff member and Murray State hall of famer, Saundra Edwards, passed away at the age of 82
The Murray State University and Racer Athletics are saddened to learn of his passing of Saundra Edwards, a long-time staff member from 1974-2001.
Edwards died at the age of 82 on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential House in Murray, Kentucky.
After being s student secretary to men's basketball coach Cal Luther, Edwards began her Murray State professional career in the career services department from 1974 to 1986. She joined the effort in MSU Athletics in 1987 until her retirement in 2001.
Edwards did it all in the athletics department and was well known as a team player and someone who loved working in athletics. She was administrative assistant to five different MSU athletics directors: Coach Johnny Reagan, Mike Dill, Mike Strickland, Jim Frank and E.W. Dennison. She was multi-talented and had a part in concessions operations, marketing and promotions, ticket operations, MSU Hall of Fame, game day operations and all associated athletics events.
A Paducah, Ky., native, Edwards graduated from Heath High School in 1957. She grew up around the game of golf, as her father Louis Slusmeyer was grounds superintendent at old Paducah Country Club when Saundra was born in 1939. She often went to the course with him including his time working at Paxton Park. Louis gave Saundra three clubs when she was young and that began her love of the game. Saundra's mother, Elizabeth, also played golf. Saundra's grandchildren, Summer Simmons and Brock Simmons each played golf for the Racers.
Edwards arrived at Murray State as a freshman in the fall of 1957. The entire Slusmeyer family moved to Murray when her father was commissioned to build what was then the
nine-hole Murray Country Club course. She would've played collegiately at MSU, but at the time, there wasn't a women's golf program. MSU basketball coach Rex Alexander taught a golf class at Murray State and encouraged Saundra to continue to play. She met Coach Buddy Hewitt who started the MSU men's golf program and Saundra ended up trying out and earned a spot on the men's team. But decided to not play.
Saundra Edwards was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2018 in the Hall of Distinction area for her career contributions to MSU Athletics, with MSU radio voice Neal Bradley and longtime supporters Jan and Dick Weaver. Other members of the 2018 class included Frank Allen and Isaiah Canaan (men's basketball), Rebekah Clay (soccer), Sarah Dearworth (volleyball), Amber Guffey (women's basketball), Coach Houston Nutt and Danny Lee Stout-Johnson (football).
Obituary from J.H. Churchill Funeral Home in Murray, Ky.Mrs. Saundra Slusmeyer Edwards, age 82, of Murray, Kentucky, died on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential House in Murray surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Edwards was born in McCracken County, Kentucky on April 15, 1939, to the late Louis Slusmeyer and Elizabeth (Gates) Slusmeyer. She was a 1957 graduate of Heath High School and later attended Murray State University. Mrs. Edwards retired from Murray State University as the Athletic Office Ticket Manager in 2001. She was an avid Racer fan and was inducted into the Racer Hall of Distinction in February 2018. Mrs. Edwards was a member of the Kirksey Baptist Church, where she served as the church secretary, taught the women's bible class and worked with the youth.
Mrs. Edwards is survived by her husband Dan Brock Edwards of Murray, whom she married on November 4, 1960 in Calloway County, Kentucky; one daughter, Vicki Lynn Simmons and husband Steve of Murray; one son, Bradley Dan Edwards and wife Patty of Murray; three grandchildren, Brock Simmons and wife Kali Rae Simmons of Murray, Summer Simmons of Kansas City, Missouri, and Ashley Donohoo and husband Andrew of Murray; as well as four great grandchildren, Conrad James Simmons, Jax Coleman, Pearl Donohoo and Steel Donohoo.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 24, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services with and Bro. Van Russell and John Dale officiating. Burial will follow in the Kirksey Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.
Online condolences can be made at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com
