You will never know how very much you have been missed all of these years or all the tears that have been shed because of the emptiness that your leaving left us with. You were the angel that brought such a ray of sunlight into our lifes and suddenly that was snatched away from us.

I never knew that morning when I said goodbye to you that would be the last goodbye. Your fourteen years with us was so short and you were taken so suddenly by such a horrible, careless, needless accident. Your departure had such an impact on me and your brothers. Curtis speaks of you often and of the day when we will be reunited. His oldest daughter, Summer has your middle name of Grace. Kevin has missed you so terribly; he was so close to you and he was the last person to see you in our family to say goodbye. He still remembers standing on the porch watching you leave that evening with Natalie and turning and saying "Goodbye Kevin". Kevin's oldest daughter's middle name is Grace in your memory. Chad has remarked so many times how much he wished he could have had more years with you to get to know you. He feels left out that he had so few years with you as he was only six when you were taken from us. He also says if he ever has a daughter her middle name will be Grace.

Your wonderful sense of humor, your laughter and your great love and tenderness to us can never be replaced. Your great love for all animals and for everyone, there wasn't anyone that you did not love or show kindness and compassion. I still have days, especially when I look at your pictures, when I miss you so terribly. I sit and wonder what you would look like now, if you would have a family, grandchildren for me to hold and love that would look just like you. All of the wonderful events of a daughter's life, marriage, children and most importantly the relationship of a daughter and mother. Something that I have been denied as you were my only daughter.

The one thing that has sustained us through the years is knowing that some day we will see you again and spend all of eternity with you.  We wait expectantly for that day and hold on dearly to every memory of you. You were so greatly loved and cherished by me and your brothers.

My darling and only Daughter

Mom

Arizona Republic
February 16, 1977 Section C 5 or 8

TEENAGER DIES WHEN PICKUP FLIPS IN FIELD

A 14 year old  Phoenix girl was killed when a pickup in which she was riding overturned, police said Tuesday.

Melanie Edwards daughter of Mrs. Marjorie Edwards of 2612 N. 48th Dr., was riding monday night in a pickup driven by Craig A. Beyer, 17 of 4923 W.  Avalon Dr. Patrolman Richard Stromalt; said Beyer was driving along a private road near 55th Avenue and Van Buren and made a sharp turn into a field. The vehicle rolled on its top and Miss Edwards was thrown partly out of the truck. Beyer's sister Natalie 16, also a passenger in the truck was injured and taken to Phoenix General Hospital where she was in fair condition Tuesday. Beyer was uninjured.

MELANIE EDWARDS

Services for Melanie Grace Edwards 14, a freshman at Maryvale High School will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday in A. L. Moore and Sons Mortuary 333 W. Adams.

Melanie, 2612 N. 48th Drive, who was born in Phoenix and was graduated from Frank Borman Junior High School died in Maryvale Samaritan Hospital.

Survivors include her mother Marjorie Edwards, father Melvin H. Edwards; three brothers; Curtis, Kevin and Chad Edwards and three grandparents.