Cameron woman honored for 35 years of service
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
The Cameron Development Center dedicates its facility to one of its own.
A worker at the center is honored for 35 years of service to the mentally and developmentally challenged.
"it was a total shock. i knew nothing of it," Executive Director Edna McQuerrey says.
Edna McQuerrey walked into The Cameron Development Center thinking she was picking up her granddaughter.
Little did she know, all of her family and friends were waiting to suprise her inside.
"A lot of us feel edna is the development center. she is why this building, this place, exists. And we just wanted to take a special moment and dedicate this building in her name," staff member Amy Edwards says.
That special moment turned into a whole afternoon, honoring Edna with a plaque, portrait and even a proclamation from the Missouri Governor that honors Edna`s 35 years of service to the center.
But Edna`s family says her service has gone even beyond the Development Center.
"She taught us to follow our dreams and if our dreams didn`t work out then she taught us to follow a new path," daughter Joyce Edwards says.
Edna has served as the Executive Director for the Cameron Development Center for the past 35 years.
The center is a place for mentally and developmentally challenged teens and adults to interact with each other and in group settings.
"We work on tasks all day. We take them into the community. We try to expose them as much as we can to people," Amy Edwards says.
"In any way that we can use our knowledge or guidance to help them, that`s what we`re here for. We`re here to serve our people," McQuerrey says.
Edna says it`s her faith that gives her the ability to do her job.
"God is the one that directs me each day. My faith is life. It`s my inspiration and my guidance. I ask God everyday to use me," McQuerrey says.
And she insists that she won`t be quitting anytime soon.
"I`m going to do the best I can...as long as I can," McQuerrey says.
The Cameron Development Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
