DETROIT, Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Esther Gordy Edwards, sister of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.,
best known for preserving the original headquarters of Motown Records
by creating the Motown Museum on the site of the former “Hitsville USA,”
and as a former Motown Record Corporation executive, died last night
surrounded by family and friends in Detroit on August 24, 2011 at the Age of 91.

She
is best known for her roles as the founder of Motown Museum and former
Motown Record Corporation executive for nearly three decades. She held a
number of leadership positions within Motown, eventually serving as
Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director of Motown
International Operations, where she was vital in exposing cultures
internationally to the Motown Sound. It was her spirit and fierce
protectiveness of young and up-and-coming artists that earned her the
unconditional love and respect of the artists of Motown. Whether it was
helping Stevie Wonder enroll in the Michigan School for the Blind or managing and guiding the careers of other legendary recording artists like Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross
& The Supremes, the Marvelettes, the Temptations and others, her
steady hand in shaping the personal and professional fortunes of Motown
Records’ young stars was a significant part of the company’s long-term
business and artistic success. Her career in the music industry was
followed by an illustrious second career as an entrepreneur, business
leader and influential member of several Detroit and nationally recognized institutions.

Her
passion for giving others a chance to succeed inspired her to become
involved with and create a number of prominent community and nonprofit
organizations. Upon her sister’s death in 1965, the Loucye Gordy
Wakefield Scholarship Fund was established to contribute thousands of
dollars annually to underprivileged students. This scholarship fund led
Mrs. Edwards to initiate The Gordy Foundation, which today continues to
fund scholarships to help give inner city Detroit youth access to education.

A
mentor and staunch advocate for women in business, Mrs. Edwards was
also a confidant and friend to many nationally well-known leaders. Her
political and social influences were profound, and her personal network
far-reaching.

Berry Gordy, Jr., founder of Motown said of his sister on behalf of the Gordy family:

Today our family mourns the loss of our beloved Esther Gordy Edwards.

Esther Gordy Edwards
was a top Motown executive, businesswoman, civil and political leader,
who received numerous awards, commendations and accolades. She was the
most educated in our family and was the go-to person for wisdom in
business.

Whatever
she did, it was with the highest standards, professionalism and an
attention to detail that was legendary. She always came out a hero.
Esther wasn’t concerned with being popular. She was dedicated to making
us all better — the Gordy family and the Motown family.

Esther
turned the so-called trash left behind after I sold the company in 1988
into a phenomenal world-class monument where Hitsville started — The
Motown Museum.

She
preserved Motown memorabilia before it was memorabilia, collecting our
history long before we knew we were making it. She nurtured and held it
together through the years, protecting the Motown legacy for generations
to come — which is only one of the reasons people all over the world
will remember and celebrate Esther Gordy Edwards.

Despite
my sorrow, I will proudly continue to honor and celebrate her. She will
always be my big sister and she will forever live in my heart.  

The Motown Museum