A Gift of Education
Edna Sherling Boatright's love of children was evident throughout her life's work as a teacher and can still be seen today through her many charitable donations to organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Shreveport.
Loyola University New Orleans is also a beneficiary of her generosity. She gave a percentage of her estate to Loyola to establish a scholarship in memory of her father, Emmett Sherling, for students enrolled in the teacher certification program.
According to Beverly S. Petty, Edna's cousin, "Edna always told us that she made her living from children—all that she had came from children, and all that she wanted to do was to give back to the children. We are all so proud of what she has accomplished."
Known throughout her teaching career as Ms. Sherling by her students, Edna served as teacher, supervisor and coordinator in the Caddo Parish public school system for 36 years. She promoted the teaching profession by serving and taking on leadership positions in professional teaching organizations. Through her work, she touched so many lives.
It is not surprising that she and her father believed in higher education. Edna earned a bachelor's as well as a master's degree in education. Later, she encouraged her students to go to college and did everything in her power to help her students get there, often visiting with parents if necessary. Her father, Emmett, was particularly devoted to the Jesuit priests in his parish and often recommended Loyola to the young people he knew.
The Emmett Lee Sherling Endowed Scholarship at Loyola will provide future generations of teachers with opportunities to receive a Jesuit education while earning a teacher certification. Thanks to Edna Sherling Boatright's gift, teachers educated at Loyola will follow her into the classroom and share their knowledge and experience.
Like Edna you can give back to Loyola to help the next generation of educators with a gift in your will or estate plan. Simply contact Kevin Maney at 504-861-5442 or kmaney@loyno.edu to learn more.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.