Edwyna Barnett, nee Trenholm, the former first Regional Director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid for 14 years, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001 in Chicago. Ms. Barnett, the first daughter of the late Dr. H. Councill Trenholm, President of Alabama State University and the late Portia Lee Trenholm, was born in Montgomery, AL, on Aug. 31, 1930. She attended Alabama State College Laboratory School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Alabama State University in 1950. Ms. Barnett later earned a Master of Science Degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Work. Mrs. Barnett was a respected member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Omega Chapter, Chicago. Mrs. Barnett is survived by a sister, Portia Yvonne Trenholm Hamlar of Stevens Point, WI; a brother, Harper C. Trenholm Jr. of Chicago; a nephew, Eric Hamlar; and one grandnephew, Joel Hamlar, both of Southfield, MI; several cousins including Mrs. Effie B. Crockett of Washington, DC and Mr. Edward G. Brown of Montgomery, AL; and a host of many loving friends. A private inurnment was held on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001. A memorial service will be held on Sept. 15, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer, 4945 S. Dorchester, Chicago, IL. The deceased requested that any loving contributions be made to her church, St. Paul and the Redeemer, instead of flowers in order that their gifts may live.
