Edna DeFord
Jean Kotula
Did you know that there are “Gems” in the Arizona desert and we have one right here in PebbleCreek? Her name is Edna DeFord and she has been a resident since 1995. Edna moved to Arizona with her husband Ken after retiring from 25 years as a Human Resources Manager with AT&T/Lucent Technologies.
After settling in, Edna and Ken realized PebbleCreek needed a church. That’s when they combined their efforts with five other couples and established the PebbleCreek Community Church (PCCC). Today, Edna is the last remaining charter member as her husband passed away in 2016. Edna was the first pianist and later established the first choir with six church members. She then became the PCCC Choir Director for several years. On Dec. 23, 2025, the church will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Within the church, Edna currently serves as the chairperson of the Missions Committee. Her role is to work with the 19 Missions PebbleCreek Community Church supports by bringing the gospel to them while assisting in their continued growth. These missions are not only located in the United States but around the world as well. She is also active with Samaritan’s Purse, as a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, and is a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team Chaplain. Edna established a Prayer Coordinator position at PCCC and led the Prayer Partners group for 20 years.
Music runs in the DeFord family. Edna continues to sing in the PCCC Choir. She was a founding member of the PebbleCreek Singers with whom she sang for 29 years. Her late husband also sang in the church choir and with the PebbleCreek Singers. Their son Edward, a PebbleCreek resident, is an accomplished ukulele musician/singer who is known as the Duke of Uke.
Edna was on the Creative Arts Counsel for 17 years and during that time the Counsel committee designed and built the current Creative Arts Center.
In Edna’s spare time (how does she have any?) she is an active member of the PebbleCreek Quilters, the Sewing Club, and the Rug Hookers Club. Edna uses her skills to make quilts for people in need and to sew various types of clothing for Operation Christmas Child.
Every community needs to have an Edna. Someone whose life consists of giving to others without expecting anything in return. Edna DeFord is truly PebbleCreek’s “Gem in the Desert” and we are blessed to have her.
PebbleCreek Community Church is a non-denominational church that meets each Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom. You are invited to attend our services and enjoy wonderful music, solid Biblical preaching, fellowship, and an emphasis on missions. Our worship services can be seen on YouTube.com/@ChurchPCC/Video. You can also stay connected through our church website at pebblecreekcommunitychurch.com or our FaceBook page, PebbleCreek Community Church – Goodyear, AZ.