Uncrowned Community Builders

Little did Edna Bell Gault, an Alabama native, know that her lifeââ?¬â?¢s work would involve caring for, mentoring and teaching hundreds of children. Born on August 17, 1930, in Birmingham, Alabama to Ceceila Reese and Henry Bell, she was the eldest sister of six siblings: Willie, Neecie, Georgia, Betty and Charles Jr. After arriving in Buffalo in 1943, she was enrolled in Buffalo public schools. Later Edna attended Villa Maria College for two years majoring in Early Childhood Development. A teaching assistant with Buffaloââ?¬â?¢s Head Start program for ten years, Edna served as the first black president of the School 78 Parent Teacher Association.

A member of St. John Baptist Church for over fifty years, Edna Gault has given her most rewarding service in the Youth and Missionary Ministries. She served as a supervisor for the Junior Choir for over twenty-five years and she was instrumental in organizing the first youth health ministry group. Recognition for her Christian service at the St. John Baptist Church is evidenced by the lives she has touched. Many of her ââ?¬Å?childrenââ?¬, now adults and parents themselves, call or stop by to remind her of their participation in one of her youth groups. Her recognition also includes the following awards: The Special Blessings Award for her dedicated service to children; The Black History ââ?¬Å?Ask a Busy Womanââ?¬ Award for her service to humanity; and The Torch Bearer Award for her commitment to shaping future generations.

Her commitment extended to her family and community where she, along with her late husband, John, raised and nurtured five children of her own, adopted one child and also served as a foster parent for thirty-three children. The foster children ranged in age from newborn to teenagers, some with challenging disabilities. She and her husband received the 1993 Child and Family Services Lifetime Service Award and the Buffalo Urban League Family Life Award for their contributions as foster parents for over two decades.

In 1999, Edna was selected to receive Coordinated Careââ?¬â?¢s Prime Time Award for WNY seniors who inspire an appreciation of aging in all who meet them. In conjunction with this award, she received a NYS Assembly Certificate of Merit for Lifetime Achievement and an Erie County Proclamation.

Edna was married to her late husband for fifty-four years and she is the proud mother of six, grandmother of ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Formerly an avid bowler, Mrs. Gault enjoys baking cakes and traveling. She has traveled to Hawaii and the Holy Land. She remains an active member of the St. John Baptist Church as the chaplain of Senior Fellowship, president emeritus of the Missionary Society, advisor to the Youth Health Ministry and a member of the adult Health Ministry.