Barbara A. Edwards

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Barbara A. Edwards, (aka Barbara Edwards-Conk) of Camden, DE, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Bayhealth Medical Center, Kent Campus, Dover, DE. Barbara, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 92. Barbara was born on June 1, 1933, in Bolivar, NY, to parents Ira O. Wilbur Cooper and Pauline M. Eymer, both deceased. 

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her son’s father, (and the one who raised all 3 of her children), William M. Brent, her previous spouse, Robert J. Edwards, and spouse & life partner, A. Gordon Conk. She was also preceded in death by her 3 siblings, sister Betty (Thomas) Previglian of Olean, NY, brothers Malcolm (Connie) Cooper of Rochester, NY & Robert (Noreen) Cooper of Chiefland, FL. 

In 2024, Barbara unfortunately suffered the loss of one of her children, Jeannie (Marjeanne) George Lande. 

Barbara graduated from Friendship High School in the 50’s and began her life as a military wife, moving from her small hometown of Friendship, NY, traveling to a variety of military bases on the East coast. She began her working career in 1967 with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service working at the different bases where her husband, William M. Brent, was stationed. Working in a variety of positions, during her last fifteen years she worked as an Accounting Supervisor, which was her passion. She retired after 28 years with the AAFES.

Shortly after moving to Camden, DE, Barbara became a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church here in Camden. During the 50+ years as a member, she served on the Vestry and was also a Lay Reader, a position which she continued to do until her death.

Barbara was always doing gardening, arts & crafts, or sewing, whether it was making clothing for herself and her children, to her stylish dresses & suits she wore to work, or all the sparkly & shiny outfits she made for the Steppin’ Seniors Line Dancing group at the Modern Maturity Center. When not busy sewing and dancing, Barb found time to be the founding “Queen Mother” of the ‘Classy Lassies’, a Red Hat Society Chapter in Dover. 

Traveling & photography were a big part of her life, having over 50 albums of trips and cruises throughout the world, which included Greece, Spain, England, France, Germany, the Baltic countries, the Caribbean, and Mainland China, etc. She especially enjoyed her Honolulu, HI visits with her 7 grandchildren each time one of them turned 16 years of age. In her later years, she, and her late husband Gordon, traded their airline tickets for a motor home, and traveled, and photographed, their way through the other 49 United States.

She is survived by her two children, daughter Marsha (Joe Burton) Custer of Dover, DE, and a son MJ (Susan) Brent of Oakhurst, CA, as well as her 7 grandchildren Michael Custer, Cody Custer, Lindsay Brent, Ashley Brent, Madeline Brent, Monica Mosier & Jessica Hodges. Barbara also has 7 great grandchildren Madison, Meaghan, Evin, Kayla, Kiera, MJ, and Mila, and many nieces and nephews and extended family. 

Funeral services will be 11 AM, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 210 Old North Road, Camden, DE 19934. Family and friends may call an hour before. 

Interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, Friendship, NY, sometime this summer. Final care has been entrusted to Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Disabled American Veterans, or a charity of your choice.

Letters of condolence may be sent to Pippin Funeral Home, and guest books can be signed either online at www.pippinfuneralhome.com, as well as at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at the service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara A. Edwards, please visit our floral store.