Edith Overton Friend, former resident of Terra Alta, WV, made her peaceful heavenly journey on March 30, 2022, surrounded by family and friends.
Edith Overton Friend, also known as “Aunt E” or “E”, was born on June 5, 1928 in Twin Branch, WV. She was the daughter of the late coal miner George Hiram and Carrie Elizabeth (Pulliam) Overton. After graduating from Logan High School, she received her Bachelors Degree from Asbury College (now Asbury University). She did graduate work at Colorado State University, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech and University of Arizona that culminated in receiving her Masters Degree from West Virginia University. She was a Home Economics Instructor at Concord College, Athens, WV. Her distinguished career with the Cooperative Extension Service spanned over 29 years. She received the Virginia Woman of Achievement in Government Award from the Virginia Women Attorney’s Association and the Virginia Commission on the Status of Women. She served as First Vice President of the National Association of Extension Home Economists (NAEHE) and was Program Chairman for the 50th NAEHE Anniversary in New York City. She was designated Assistant Professor Emeritus upon retirement from Virginia Tech. Post retirement, she served as an Independent Mary Kay Consultant for over 25 years. She rounded out her life and interests by creating more than 20 paintings.
Edith loved serving the Lord Jesus Christ and considered her greatest accomplishment in life to be serving the Lord wherever she was planted. Her greatest ambition was that the love of God would show forth to others in her and that her face would glow with His love. She was a Certified Lay Speaker with the Methodist Church and taught many Bible Studies. She was a partner in ministry with her late husband, Rev. Warren Friend, for over 40 years. She touched countless lives with her kindness, grace and love of God. She was a member of the McHenry United Methodist Church.
In addition to her love of the Lord, Edith deeply loved family. She had no In-laws; they were all her brothers and sisters. Her extended family included numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was the family historian who knew all of the birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates for each family member and would faithfully contact each of them on those dates. She would often reach out just to say, Hello, I’m thinking about you.
Edith is survived by her loving daughter Kathy Friend VanDevender. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Warren Friend, her daughter Mary Elizabeth and her son Samuel Warren. Edith loved her brothers and sisters: Lad (Josephine), Barbie (Don), Tim, Mick (Cheryl), Nancy (Bill), Jody (Bob), Tom (Linda), and (Opal). Two young women, Ashley and Barbara, became part of Edith’s family as well and were treated as daughters. Blood kinship was not a prerequisite to become part of her family. She loved people from all walks of life. We will miss her kindness, thoughtfulness, grace, smile, caring nature and love.
Services will be held on Thursday, April 7, at 11:00AM at McHenry United Methodist Church, McHenry, MD. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Terra Alta, WV. Visitations will be held at McHenry United Methodist Church on Wednesday, April 6, from 6pm-8pm and Thursday, April 7, from 10am-11am. Mask wearing is encouraged.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Edith’s caregivers, Molly, Ngozi, and Collette for their love, care and respect; and to The Summit Staff for their support.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in honor of Edith to: McHenry United Methodist Church, McHenry, MD; Mt Zion United Methodist Church (Rt. 40), Frostburg, MD; or Trinity Episcopal Church, Wilmington, DE.
