Susan L. Edwards

The Susan L. Edwards Memorial Scholarship supports students who are pursuing the field of radiologic technology, and if no applicants for radiologic technology, then nursing school applicants will be considered.

Susan Lewis Edwards was born on May 24, 1947, in Danville, VA, to Irvin W. Lewis, a hardware store manager, and Gaynelle W. Lewis, a mill worker. She grew up in the Schoolfield neighborhood of Danville and attended public school. Susan was very involved in Girl Scouts, and it was at a scouting function where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Dennis E. Edwards. In addition to being very involved in Girl Scouts, Susan was a bright student who did well in all subjects. Unfortunately, during this time, girls who were from less affluent families were not encouraged to attend college. Their choices were limited to getting married and raising a family, going to work for Dan River Mills, or getting a job in a secretarial pool. Susan knew the importance of furthering her education, but her family lacked the financial means to send her to college. She discovered a Radiological Technician program at the Memorial Hospital of Danville, now SOVAH Health – Danville, which allowed students to receive training in exchange for service at the hospital following successful completion of coursework. Susan graduated from the program in June of 1965 and immediately began working as an x-ray technician for the hospital. She married Dennis, who was enlisted in the US Air Force, on July 1,1967, and they moved to Dover, DE, to begin their lives together.

Susan went on to work as an x-ray technician wherever her husband was stationed: Dover, DE; Fort Dix, NJ; Caribou, ME. She returned to Danville in the early 70’s while her husband served a tour in the Vietnam War. She continued to work as an x-ray technician for the hospital, and later for Dr. Louis Calisch, Piedmont Primecare, and Danville Diagnostic Imaging Center. Susan was a devoted mother to her two children, Lori and Chris. She always placed an importance on education and doing well academically. It was never a question of if her children would go to college, only where they would go. Both children decided to attend East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

In 2001, Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued working for four years, despite undergoing rigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as well as participating in a clinical trial. She had to retire from Danville Diagnostic Imaging Center in 2005 due to medical disability following a craniotomy to remove cancer which had spread to her brain. Susan suffered another recurrence to the brain the next year but continued to fight, undergoing more rounds of radiation therapy.

Despite her battle with cancer, Susan loved life. She never complained about her circumstances or questioned her fate. She was an active member of New Hope Methodist Church in Blanch, NC, where she served as a witness to everyone on the true meaning of faith. She loved going camping with her husband, children, and grandchildren, and traveling with friends. Susan’s biggest life challenge came on February 10, 2010 when she discovered her beloved husband had died in his sleep. Besides Dennis’ military service, the two had been inseparable for over 45 years. As in every challenge she faced, Susan persevered and remained strong for her children and grandchildren.