A little piece of Woodland history died this week with the passing of ‘Mrs. Edna’, as she was known to the many that ate a meal or stopped in for coffee at the Quaker House Restaurant during her 43 year tenure. Mrs. Futrell was born at her family’s home place near Millennium NC. She married Mr. A. Marnch Futrell of Woodland, NC. They were married in Greensville County Virginia February 1934. She has been a resident of Woodland for the past 76 years. She was a member of the Woodland Civic Club, past president of Hebron Baptist Church Women’s Missionary Society, she was a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party committee under Governor Kerr Scott and many years later was appointed to the first committee of the Board of Medical Assistance in 1972 by Governor Bob Scott. Her heart held a special place for her childhood church Millennium Pentecostal Holiness where she would attend occasional special services. Aside from her civic minded duties, she had enjoyed a waltz with Mr. Lawrence Welk, met with Guy Lombardo on several occasions, and enjoyed Oral Roberts Revivals. She had many opportunities to travel, Mrs. Futrell was an avid reader of poetry and often recited poetry to family and friends when the occasion arose to comfort someone, or put a light spin on life’s little hiccups. She had a genuine resolve that all people were good, always gave a smile and kind gesture for everyone she met, and never spoke an unkind word in public or private. She lived what she believed in, a higher power.
Preceding her in death are her mother and father, Elsie Farmer Terry and William Joshua Terry, her husband Marnch Futrell, two sisters; Elsie Parker and Ruth Allen, six brothers; Godfrey, Jackson, Nathan, Woodrow, William and Herbert Terry.
Survivors include one daughter, Jean Anne Lange and her husband Christian of Virginia Beach, Virginia, one son, Anthony Futrell and his wife Lael of Medina, Washington, one sister, Frances Pritchard and her husband William of Ahoskie and one brother, Hubert Terry and his wife Martha of Tarboro. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; Dr. Ken Mitchell, Penny Beasley, Lynn Lane, Andy, Charlie, Eric and Roger Futrell, seven great grandchildren; Trevor Lane, Ryan Beasley, Hannah, Elizabeth, Trace, Mary Kate and Liza Futrell.
I love you g-ma edna!!!!!! I want ever 4get you!!!! I love your poem that we laughted at all the time!! your always in my heart and i will love you!!!!!!!!!
Aunt Edna was a jewel! She always had a beautiful smile with the love she had for everyone shining through. I always enjoyed her visits to Millennium Church as she shared her love for the church and memories of days gone by there. The service today was beautiful and an honorable tribute to her and her family. The butterflies are truly an example of the freedom we can all have in Jesus just has she did. God bless you all!
My prayers are with Edna’s family. She was one of the most wonderful women I have had the pleasure of knowing. She will be greatly missed.a
One of the best Aunt`s anyone could ever have,so many memories with the family get togethers..Rest In Peace..Love You…Karen Cole
My deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God Bless You and Give You Peace.
I shall never forget Miss Edna’s abililty to encourage! She was an incredible lady whose whit and wisdom will be greatly missed. I am honored to officiate her final service.
Grandma embraced death as she did life, with a sigh and a oh well, this too must happen and I will have a quick ditty and then I shall drift into my eternal slumber, of course after I put up a quiet fight, just to let you guys know, I have a reserved gumption about me. Grandma, I will always love what you stood for, and will try and remember those little things you told me as a teenager, “be the nice southern young lady you were raised to be” and “honey this too shall pass and there will be brighter days ahead” Enjoy the ride on the pea green boat to your eternal rest by the light of the moon, by the light of the moon.
What a difference Miss Edna made in our lives. She truly was our sunshine next door. An model example of aging with grace and dignity. We are better people for having known her. A little part of her will always be a part of us.