Edna Elizabeth Davis Comer

COMER WINSTON-SALEM - Edna Elizabeth Davis Comer, 89, died on November 9, 2010, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House, after suffering a massive stroke in late October. A lifetime resident of Forsyth County, Edna, born on February 7, 1921, to the late Rober B. and Essie Campbell Davis, was the last surviving one of their seven children. Growing up in Winston-Salem, NC, Edna attended local schools and graduated with top grades from RJ Reynolds High School. Not long afterwards, she met William Shuford Comer, whom she married, and, together, they raised three sons. Not even the dementia that defined her last years could wipe out her memories of the first time she saw her beloved Willie, "dressed in a white suit, with a head full of blonde curls." From 1939 until 2000, when Willie died, they shared 61 beautiful years. Edna had three loves that stayed with her all of her days: family, friends, and financial independence. She was a gifted seamstress with a remarkable eye for color. Threading throughout her entire life, these gifts enriched her family, as well as the larger community. As a young mother, she made all the clothes her young boys wore, dressing them to the "nines." As a result, they had the reputation of being the "prettiest little boys at church" because Edna made sure every piece fit and matched perfectly. Later, when working in men's retail, she made sure dear Willie had more than just a white suit. From an early age, Edna wanted her own spending money, so when she was 14, she pretended to be 16, in order to get a job at Kress's Drugstore. Later, this desire took her for 60 years into work at Hanes Manufacturing, waiting tables at a family caf‚, clerking at Sears and Roebuck, and finally into what she described as her calling. Edna never thought of herself as an advocate for women's rights, but with her competitive spirit and strong work ethic, she broke glass ceilings without ever realizing it. When she was 43, Edna began to work in retail of men's clothes. In this setting, Edna was a pioneer as one of the first women in Winston-Salem to sell men's clothing with resounding success. Working for over 30 years, on commission, for the top men's clothiersfrom Frank A. Stith to Norman Stocktonshe became their top salesperson. It did not matter if she was working full-time or part-time, she would surpass all the male sales staff in earned wages. Edna's success was propelled by her reputation of being able to put together textures, fabrics, colors, and accessories, along with a caring attitude for all her clients, who just happened to be the executives of manufacturing and banking in Winston-Salem at that time. Edna's love of sewing evolved into quilt-making when she reached middle-age. With only a brief introduction to lap-quilting, she began to quilt with a passion. Again, her ability to match colors drew her to create quilted works of art, which she mainly gave to family and friends. Eventually, she turned her quilt-making into a small cottage industry, thus satisfying her need to have some extra spending money. Left to continue her legacy of spontaneous humor, creativity, and a childlike joy of living are her sons, David Lee (Janice) of Statesville, NC, and their children: Jon Christian of Los Angeles, CA; Zachary (Karen) of Weaverville, NC; and LeElaine of Washington, DC; William Gray (Kathy) of Pinnacle, NC, and their children, Karla Comer of Greensboro, NC; Maria Butner of Pinnacle, NC; Sara Butner of Winston-Salem, NC; Julie Comer of Winston-Salem, NC; and Elizabeth Comer of Raleigh, NC; and Richard Davis (Sherry) of Inman, SC. Her great-grandson is Alex Butner. The family will gather at 11 a.m., Friday, November 12, 2010, for a private Service and Internment. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service beginning a 2 p.m., at Mineral Springs Baptist Church. Memorials can be made to Mineral Springs Baptist Church, 3733 Ogburn Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC, 27105, or Iredell Christian Ministries 322 East Front Street, Statesville, NC, 28677. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.