EULOGY FOR
EDITH MAY ERB BROWN

Given by her niece, Norma Jean Brown Howard
June 13, 2005

 
When I think about Aunt Edie, this passage from THE BIBLE comes to mind.  Her husband, family and her home were her whole life.
 

 A woman of valour who can find?
For her price is above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust her.
And he has no lack of gain.
She doeth him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth food to her household.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. . .
She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up, and call her blessed. . .
Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
But a woman that feareth the Lord,
She shall be praised.
Give her of the fruits of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates. 

Here are a few things I remember about Aunt Edie:

I remember Mom telling me what a great basketball player she was.  She was a great basket maker.  Little Augusta had a great team when she was in high school. 

I remember that she did hair for us.  We got finger waves with lots of wave set that made it hard as a board.

I remember that Edie and Mom had an agreement when they went to Canada fishing.  Edie put the worm on the hook and Mom took the fish off.  Neither would do the other job.

I remember we called on her for medical problems.  When my first pregnancy was going bad, we called Aunt Edie over and she said, “Better go to the hospital.”  When I came home after the baby was born dead, Aunt Edie came over to see me a lot.  She didn’t baby me, but she had empathy because she lost her first child too.

I remember children did not misbehave around Edie.  She wouldn’t tolerate that.

I remember the anguish she and Harley suffered when Sam was so sick when he was small and also when he was accidentally burned.

I remember she was a great cook.  When I first married, I could not get my seven-minute icing to come out right.  Aunt Edie came to my house and taught me how to do it right.

I remember what a good housekeeper she was.  The last time I saw her, her apartment was spotless as well as the basement.  I needed to bring her to work on mine.

I remember the good care she took of Uncle Harley all thru their marriage and before his death. 

I remember Aunt Edie was always immaculate.  She was a beautiful person inside and out.  I have wonderful memories of her.  She will be missed.
 

 I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes; these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with the times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life’s been full.   I savored much,
Good Friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now; He set me free.