Edna Frances Terry Lavender, age 94, of Marion, went to be with her husband and Lord on Tuesday morning, May 8, 2012, at Heartland of Marion following an extended illness.
On February 20, 1918, Edna was born in Ironton, Ohio, one of thirteen children of the late Vintson Early and Mary Frances (Sparks) Terry. She graduated from Central High School in Ironton.
Shortly following graduation, Edna married a young man “who had chased her for two years”, William Leo “Bill” Lavender, on July 31, 1936. Together they lovingly raised five boys and shared nearly 60 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on February 15, 1996.
After living in Steubenville for a few years, Edna and Bill moved as a family to Marion in the early 1940’s for work he found at Universal Products. Edna worked at the Harding Hotel, and the Courtesy Inn, where she was a clerk and accountant. Then went to work at Fulfillment Corp. until she retired in 1982.
A woman of faith, Edna was proud to have been baptized into the St. Mary Church in Marion four years ago in February of 2008.
A proud mother of five sons, she always teased her family by saying that “everything was great until the daughters-in-law came around”. “Her world revolved around her sons and grandchildren whom she would give away her last penny to” without hesitation. She was also eternally grateful to her beloved grandchildren for their taking care of her when she needed them after her husband, Bill, passed away.
Cherishing every moment surrounded by her family, Edna made sure that every holiday was special when her family gathered to be together. She always made sure she cooked everyone’s favorite dishes, and there were many favorites to choose from.
She will be dearly missed by her five sons: William (Jean) Lavender of Murfreesboro, TN, Murray (Susan) Lavender of Charlotte, NC, Terry (Sharry) Lavender of Marion, Tom Lavender of Muncie, IN, and Tim (Mary Jean) Lavender of Marion; 6 grandchildren: Timothy (Kelly) Lavender, Kimberly (Donny) Hayes, Larry (Cathy) Lavender, Lynne (Mike) Barr, John (Cay) Lavender, and Andrew Lavender; 11 great-grandchildren: Misty (Bob) Foy, Michael Lavender, Nick (Jessica) Lavender, Jamie (James) Rucker, Taylor, Andrew, Stephen, Jake, Claire, Collin and Jacob Lavender; step-great-grand children Blake Brewer and Britney Hayes; two great-great-grandchildren: Layla Lavender and Grace Foy; and countless nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Edna was preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters: Mable Marie Parker, James Alpha Terry, Vintson Jesse Terry, Aron Terry, Harold Edson Terry, Arthur Manuel Terry, Robert Paul Terry, Catherine Wanda Terry, Howard Edward “Babe” Terry, Donald Gene Terry, Agnes Crown, and Baby Boy Terry; and two grandchildren: Maria and Julianna Lavender.
The Lavender family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. A Funeral Mass honoring her life will be held on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Mary Church, 251 N. Main St., Marion, with Father Michael Nimocks serving as Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Marion.
Memorial Contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and to the American Cancer Society, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Edna’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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