Mrs. Edith Janet Rayburn

Mrs. Edith Janet (Hilbert) Rayburn, age 94, of Center Square, Indiana, entered this life July 21, 1915, in Jennings County, Indiana. The second of three daughters born to Ethel Baker Hilbert & Jacob Walter Hilbert, Ethel raised her three daughters in the home of William & Leota Bake, Edith's maternal grandparents. On August 2, 1936, she married Ollie Merrill Rayburn in Ripley County, Indiana. This union flourished for 60 years until Ollie was called to his heavenly reward on December 6, 1996. They were the parents of six children. Edith was a homemaker all of her adult life who was always available to family and friends who needed a helping hand. She nursed both her mother and mother-in-law in her home in their latter years. After their deaths, she took a home nursing course and worked for a short time in home nursing care. Edith exemplified the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31. She was a faithful and loyal companion to her husband until they were separated by his death, yet continued to honor his memory throughout her life. She raised her children in the ways of the Lord and taught them to behave with honor and integrity. She was a much beloved mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, and an exemplary woman in all of her ways. She was noted for her hospitality. Many friends, neighbors, and relatives passed through her kitchen to enjoy her culinary skills. She was also a skilled seamstress and quilt maker. She was extremely well read and continued to love books until the end of her long life. Many times she entertained her family by reciting poetry she had memorized as a young girl. She was also an accomplished musician. She and Ollie resided in the Flat Rock area of Ripley County, Indiana for most of their married lives. She was a faithful member of Union Flat Rock Baptist Church where she taught Bible School and Sunday School. She had an angelic alto voice and loved to sing along when she was playing the piano or organ for the church. For over 40 years, she was available when needed to play for the church or as an accompanist for special services, funerals, or weddings. In addition to her church work, she was a member of the Willing Workers Home EC Club and the Missionary Group. Following Ollie's death, she moved to Switzerland County, Indiana, to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Bill Roberts, who tenderly cared for her. In Switzerland County, she attended the Center Square Baptist Church, which was close to her home. Our mother and grandmother will always be remembered with love and respect for the part she played in the lives of so many people. Until her health failed, she was always there with a helping hand in any family crisis or celebration and helped in the homes when the grandbabies came. We love her dearly and will hold her memory in our hearts until we meet again for our heavenly reward. She was a woman of excellence and served as a shining example to us all. Edith died Monday, January 4, 2010 at 10:30 pm at her residence in Center Square, Indiana. Edith will be lovingly remembered by her sons & daughter-in-laws: Merrill Rayburn & wife: Alma of Vevay, Indiana; Ronald Rayburn & wife: Alice of Holton, Indiana; Jerry Rayburn & wife: Cori of Fairfax Station, Virginia; James Rayburn & wife: Phyllis of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; her daughters & son-in-laws: Virginia Roberts & husband: William of Vevay, Indiana; Joanne Muzzillo & husband: Gary of Edgewood, Kentucky; 20-grandchildren, 25-great-grandchildren & 2-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents: Jacob Walter & Ethel (Baker) Hilbert: her husband: Ollie Merrill Rayburn died: 12/6/1996; her sister: Bernice Ruggles; her half-brother: Robert Hilbert; her grandson: Douglas Rayburn. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 11:00 am, by Bro Kenny & Carolyn Miller & Rev. Gary Shepherd at the Union Flat Rock Baptist Church, West Flat Rock Road Osgood, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Flat Rock Cemetery, Osgood, Indiana. Friends may call 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, January 8, 2010, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana & from 10:00 am until time of services at the Church on Saturday Memorial contributions may be made to Union Flat Rock Baptist Church, Flat Rock Cemetery or the charity of the donor's choice. Cards are available at the funeral home. DIRECTIONS TO THE UNION FLAT ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH: From 421 in Osgood, take Fairground Avenue West, turn right on old Michighan Road, follow to 750 North & turn left, follow to a T in the Road & turn left on 750 West, follow 750 West to a sharp bend in the road & the road will become 700 North, follow to 900 West & make a left & bare quickly to the right, this will be West Flat Rock Road & the Church is 1 mile down on that road.