Frances Edwards Proclamation 2025 v3

                 PROCLAMATION
                              Honoring Mrs. Mary Frances Edwards

WHEREAS:     The DeKalb County Board of Education and DeKalb County School District join the family in celebrating
             the life of former board member, Mrs. Mary Frances Edwards; and

WHEREAS:     Mrs. Mary Frances Edwards served the DeKalb County Board of Education and DeKalb County School
             District, 1991-2006; and

WHEREAS:     Mrs. Edwards served as vice chair from 1991 to 1993 and became board chair from 1994 to 1995,
             making her the first Black person and first Black woman to hold that position; and

WHEREAS:     Mrs. Edwards spent over 15 years as a devoted school volunteer, including six years as president of
             the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Beyond her work in education, Mrs. Edwards was deeply
             involved in civic and community organizations, including the NAACP and the local Chamber of
             Commerce’s Education Committee; and

THEREFORE:   We, the DeKalb County Board of Education and Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norman C.
             Sauce III, on behalf of the DeKalb County School District, do hereby acknowledge the noble service of
             Mrs. Mary Frances Edwards, for her dedication and service to the children of DeKalb County School
             District.

             In official recognition, whereof, we hereby affix our signatures this 12th day of January 2026.