Edna Gilkey

The Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces the death of Mrs. Edna Jordan Gilkey, age 91, who passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2012. Edna was born March 5, 1921 to Moses Y. and Sally Moon Jordan in Comer, Georgia. She was the youngest of 13 children.

Edna was an outstanding athlete especially in basketball, softball and tennis. She was named the most athletic girl in Comer High School. She was awarded a basketball scholarship to Piedmont College where she continued to excel in sports and was later inducted into Piedmont's basketball Hall of Fame. She received her BA degree from Piedmont in 1941. Also in 1941 she toured 13,000 miles with a semi-professional softball team which was ranked 8th in the world.

Edna's 33 year teaching and coaching career began in Winston Salem where she was later inducted into the North Carolina Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1947 she returned to Piedmont College to teach Physical Education and coach girls basketball. Here she met her future husband, Bill Gilkey, who was the men's basketball and baseball coach. But it was not until 10 years later that they met again in Illinois where they both were teaching. They were married in 1957. Later Bill was inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame. During this time Edna received her masters degree from Illinois State University and they continued to teach in Illinois until they retired and moved to Florida. Following Bill's death in 1989, Edna moved to North Georgia and lived in Blairsville, Blue Ridge and Hiawassee where she made many friends in her Oasis classes, bridge clubs and neighborhood tennis tournaments. Also at Piedmont College she received an award for outstanding alumni services. Edna is survived by 16 nieces and nephews and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A private memorial graveside service will be held at a later date in Comer, Georgia.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville.