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.
Edna Terry 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 in 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; 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; and six brothers, Godfrey, Jackson, Nathan, Woodrow, William and Herbert Terry.
Survivors include one daughter, Jean Anne Lange and her husband Christian of Virginia Beach, VA; one son, Anthony Futrell and his wife Lael of Medina, WA; 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; and seven great grandchildren, Trevor Lane, Ryan Beasley, Hannah, Elizabeth, Trace, Mary Kate and Liza Futrell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 5 at the Chapel of Sykes Funeral Service in Rich Square with the Rev. Wallace Phillips officiating. The interment will follow at the Woodland Cemetery in Woodland.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.sykesfuneralservice.com