Edyth Louise Larson Cope

Edyth Louise Larson Cope is now joyfully running and playing in her new home. Edyth passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord Wednesday afternoon, April 16 at The Houston Methodist Hospital, surrounded by her three daughters.

Edyth was born to James Buice Larson and Victoria Rose Tipton Larson on Sept. 1, 1921 in Victoria, TX. The family moved to Galena Park, Texas when Edyth was four and later moved to South Houston, TX.

Possessing an indomitable spirit and commitment to whatever task was at hand, Edyth reflected the best of what has now become known as The Greatest Generation. As the eldest of four children growing up during the Depression, she learned early on the value of a strong work ethic, bottling milk to sell to neighbors when she was not yet ten, hoeing strawberries and tending to other daily chores on the family's five acres.

Edyth graduated from Pasadena High School in 1939, proud of her achievements, among them being a Rainbow Girl and, particularly, in representing her school on the All County Basketball Team. After high school graduation, Edyth went to work for Whiteside Insurance in Pasadena, and then worked administrative jobs for several construction firms along the ship channel before becoming employed by Shell Oil Company. It was at Shell that she met Leard Wayne Cope, after his return from five years in the US Army. The two married in October of 1947.

Edyth and Leard had three children from 1949 to 1955. Proud of being a working mother, not so common for her generation; she successfully balanced being an involved mother to three and a good wife to Leard while continuing her career. In 1958, she joined the Pasadena Independent School District in the Tax Department where she worked until her retirement at 65 in 1987. She enjoyed her work and took great pleasure in being the best she could be in any assignment given to her. She and Leard also delighted in seeing all three of their children complete their college degrees, something they had instilled into their girls from an early age.

Edyth and Leard moved to Deer Park, TX in 1978, where she lived until her death. After retiring, and with the girls out of school, she and Leard enjoyed traveling extensively in the United States. After his death in 1991, Edyth decided to go back to work, starting a new career in retail sales, working for Casual Corner as one of their top producers until her retirement in 1997 at 75. Always the adventurer, Edyth continued her travels, both near and far, which included visits to three other continents in addition to the Americas.

Over thirty three years, she was blessed with the birth of five wonderful grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Time spent with them brought great joy to her life. Her last weekend before falling seriously ill was spent in their company, a time that she treasured.

Active in a number of associations, Edyth was a member of the Deer Park Civic Club, Pasadena Area Retired Secretaries, Prime Timers and Shell Retirees. She was also an involved member in the First United Methodist Church for over 70 years and a member of the Couples class for much of that time, a volunteer in the school library at Deer Park and a tireless worker for local and statewide political campaigns into her 90's. A believer in staying active physically, she participated in gym classes regularly for more than 20 years, where her gym mates became close friends. Even as her body began to fail her, she continued exercising diligently two days per week at Nifty After Fifty.

Edyth was predeceased by her parents, her husband Leard, her brother James Larson and sister Margie Orr, and granddaughter, Jackie Birdwell.

Edyth is survived by her brother, Norman Douglas Larson, her three daughters, Carol Frankson, Joni Cope, and Sunne Cope Garrett, son-in laws, Harry Frankson and Stan Garrett, four grandchildren, Rebekah Birdwell, Raegan Seaton and her husband John Seaton, Cody Frankson and Rhett Birdwell and three great grandchildren, Joshua and James Seaton and Logan Miedema. She was blessed as well by being able to build memories with four step grandchildren, Heath Garrett, Kathleen Baker, Kelly and Michael Garrett, seven step great grandchildren, Ashley, Brandon, Koryne and Jake Garrett, Kaitlyn, Kassie and Kamille Baker, and one step great great granddaughter, Parker Grace.

Hers was a rich and well lived life, surrounded by a large circle of family and friends with whom she shared many special moments. Edyth was a strong woman with incredible resilience. Always a fighter, she faced many illnesses over the years, including breast cancer and most recently Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which she handled with great courage. She fought the good fight and her race is now over. She made a difference in many lives, perhaps some still unknown in the future, and leaves a void for those she has left behind. Her life will be remembered.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the medical team at Houston Methodist Hospital that provided such great support to her during her last days, specifically Dr. Thomas Baxter and Dr. Daniel Lehane. She was blessed to be in their gentle care.

A visitation will be held Sunday evening, April 20, from 5-7 PM at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505. A celebration of Edyth's life will be held at Grand View at 10:00 AM, Monday, April 21, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that any donations you might choose to make be given to the Houston Methodist Research Institute, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210 and indicate that your gift is for the Cancer Center.