David Edens
David Edens and his new bride drove late into the night from their wedding in Asheville, N.C., to their honeymoon location in Jekyll Island, Ga.
The couple had reserved their hotel room under the name “Bishop David Edens,” which was Dr. Edens’ full name. Upon seeing the name “Bishop,” the hotel clerk mentioned that one of the pastors in town was sick and asked if Dr. Edens would be willing to fill the pulpit the next morning.
Dr. Edens agreed.
“I think that shows what a great heart for the Lord he had,” said his daughter, Deena Pryor.
Dr. Edens, formerly of Columbia, died in Amarillo, Texas, on Monday, July 12, 2010. He was 84.
He was born Feb. 11, 1926, to Timmons and Lila Mae Edens.
Dr. Edens served on aircraft carriers in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. His list of higher education degrees is extensive. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1950 with a bachelor's degree and later earned a Masters of Theology from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He did graduate work at Merrill Palmer Institute in Detroit, Mich. He also received a doctorate in education from Columbia University in New York City.
He married Virginia Deane Buckner on July 8, 1950. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a few days before Dr. Edens died.
He began his career as a marriage and family therapist in 1957 when he became the minister of counseling at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.
In 1967, Dr. Edens became a professor and head of Family and Community Studies at Stephens College. He retired from that position in 1991.
He continued his private practice in marriage and family counseling until 2004. Dr. Edens conducted seminars and workshops throughout the world and was the author of six books and more than 100 articles published in professional and Christian journals and popular magazines.
He served on the Army Science Board as a counselor to military families. He also served a full term on the Missouri State Board of Psychology.
Dr. Edens was a deacon at First Baptist Church and worked as an interim pastor at Unity Baptist Church in Fulton.
He was also a member of A Call to Serve, a Christian humanitarian organization that works in the Republic of Georgia. He was instrumental in establishing the sister-city relationship between Columbia and Kutaisi, Republic of Georgia.
After spending 43 years in Columbia, Dr. Edens and his wife moved in April 2010 to Amarillo, Texas, to be closer to their family.
Dr. Edens is survived by his wife; two daughters, Deena Pryor of Dallas and Debra Stewart of Amarillo, Texas; and four grandchildren.
A sister died earlier.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 1112 E. Broadway. A visitation with the family will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to A Call to Serve, P.O. Box 7026 Columbia, MO 65205, or The Edens Mission Fund of First Baptist Church, 1112 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201.
Tributes may be posted at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
