On April 21, 1914, Mildred Ann Atkinson was born to James Weley Atkinson and Maude Rogers in Bicknell, Indiana.  She was the youngest of four children born to this family.  Her siblings included her brothers Eugene and James and a sister Esther.  Eugene died of meningitis at the age of fourteen before Mildred was born.

Mildred attended Bicknell public schools and graduated from Bicknell High School before attending Lindenwood College in Missouri.  She started her career as a high school teacher at her alma mater teaching Latin.  She later would move to Indianapolis where she taught English in several of the high schools there until her retirement in 1974.

In 1936 Mildred married Virgil Edwards.  Shortly thereafter, they moved to Indianapolis where they made their lifelong residence.  Virgil was an accountant and served in the Navy.  He co-owned a florist shop in Indianapolis for over 30 years.   Mildred and Virgil were the parents of two children.

After 61 years of marriage at the age of 84, Mildred passed away on October 23, 1998.  Virgil followed three years later.

Mildred was my 2nd cousin 2x removed on my dad’s side. 

REFERENCES

• United States Census, 1920, 1930, 1940
• Indiana Birth Certificates
• Indiana Death Certificates
• Vincennes Sun-Commercial via Newspapers.com
• Find a Grave website