Anna Mae Nabuda Edmondson

Boots, as she was called by those who knew and loved her, was called home Wednesday, December 9 after a decade long battle with dementia.  She can finally meet the mother she never knew, be reunited with the brother and sister she loved, and hold her first born once again.

Service Information: A funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove on December 30 at 11 AM with later interment of her cremains at St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

Anna Mae was born March 26, 1935 in Trafford, Pennsylvania to Ralph Nabuda and Mary Bayko Nabuda.  Her mother died just months after her birth. She graduated from Trafford High in 1953 after years of participating in cheerleading, basketball, drama, and debate.  She married Bert Edmondson in 1956 and began a 24 year career as an Army Wife where she travelled the country and parts of the world.  She also gained the mother she never had as well as a life-long friend and confidant in her mother-in-law, Zelda.

In 1976, Boots found her second home in Copperas Cove, Texas and with Holy Family Catholic Church.  Here she stayed after her divorce in 1980.  She served the city on the Planning and Zoning Committee and the church through the Ladies Society.  As long as she was able, Boots never missed a Bulldog football game, and will once again be their biggest fan.  She loved BINGO and always had her daubers close by.  She never passed up the chance to dance and has her green dress on and dancing shoes ready to “cut the rug” on Heaven’s dancefloor.  She spent several years working for Centel (later Sprint) and then after retiring, she worked in CCISD as an instructional aide and reading coach where she touched many young lives.

Her greatest achievement is the legacy of unconditional love she passed on to her children and grandchildren.  She was a fierce mother, raising four children and instilling in them the values of compassion, hard work, and the importance of family. She knew no greater love than her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Her door was always open for friends and family, and most nights there was an extra plate or two at the dinner table. She had a passion for Czech food and would often throw in some good old fashion Czech dialect for you if she was feeling extra feisty.  

Although dementia robbed her of her life’s memories, in the comforting words of her brother-in-law, Terry, LOVE CAN’T FORGET.  Neither will all those whose lives she touched.  She can now sleep with the angels and forever remember.  

Boots is survived by her children: Brett Edmondson and wife Stephanie, Grace Tolleson and partner Pat Keng, Ann Graham and husband Jeff, Rose Black and husband Randy.  Grandchildren: Jennifer Bretey and husband Joe, Bree Bridger, Jesse Graham, Brett Castanon, Payten Graham.  Great-Grandchildren: Laynee and Kash Bretey.  

Donations can be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Copperas Cove Education Foundation.