Edith Lagrone

Edith Burke Lagrone of Concord passed from this earthly life to her heavenly home May 22, 2020, in Bryan, Texas. Edith was born May 6, 1925, in Concord, Texas, at her parents’ home along Brushy Creek. Her parents, Mark and Bertha Springer Burke, moved into town when Edith was seven years old so she could attend Concord School. She completed school at Concord, graduating as valedictorian in 1942. She was extremely proud to be a Concord Bulldog.

Edith told many stories of her early years, surviving the Great Depression, picking cotton, working the farm, and the rationing and hardships of World War II. Not having a sister, she claimed the Moon girls, Doug, Jo, Helen, and Mary Jane as her sisters. She told stories of how they worked the fields together and shared food when times were hard. Her strong faith in God and her loving family carried her through these hard times. After the war years, she attended Tyler Business School. Much of her life was spent working for Leon County Abstract Company, first for the Shermans, then the Browns, and lastly the Mallards. In 2001, she was awarded Employee of the Year by the Centerville Chamber of Commerce. Edith was extremely knowledgeable about the property of Leon County and could tell you about surveys and property owners. She retired at age 85 as Plant Manager.

When her children were young, she was a 4-H leader. All the children in the community were involved. The children entered contests and participated at the district level. She would help children prepare speeches and demonstrations, always focusing on educating the children about their subject. For her dedication, she was honored as Volunteer Youth Leader at the State 4-H Roundup in 1964 by Texas A&M Youth Development Foundation. Along with others in the community, she was involved in Community Improvement Projects sponsored by the Texas A&M Extension Service in the 60’s, resulting in Concord being recognized and receiving awards several years for their projects.

Edith enjoyed working in her garden, canning and freezing vegetables that she shared with family and neighbors. Until age 93, she was working her container garden still supplying loved ones with vegetables. All the flowers on her porch were proof of her green thumb and her love of plants.

If you knew Edith, you probably received a card from her. She sent thousands of cards to friends and neighbors. She always let people know she was thinking of them, no matter the occasion. Even after she went to live in Assisted Living, she continued her ministry of sending cards. She would often include clippings of poems, stories, or recipes with a card. She, also, enjoyed receiving cards and read each card recently sent to her for her 95th birthday.

Accepting Christ as her savior at a young age, she lived her life for Him. For many years, she attended Concord Baptist Church. Her children were raised attending Sunday School and services in this small country church she loved. Many will remember she would pick up children around the community and take them to Sunday School each Sunday. She wanted everyone to have the opportunity to know Christ. She was a wonderful example of a Christian wife, mother, and friend. Later, she became a member of First Baptist Church in Centerville. She loved her church family.

Most of all, Edith was proud of her family. She married the love of her life, L. R. (Pete) Lagrone in 1947. They celebrated 67 years together before his death in 2013. Their four children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren were a great source of pride. She celebrated each birthday, graduation, wedding, or special occasion with them. Easter was celebrated with the annual Concord Easter Egg Hunt where she was always pictured surrounded by all the children of her family, friends and neighbors. She cherished those times. She was so proud her newest great grandson, Camp Nichols, arrived on her 95th birthday. Education was so very important to her and she let everyone know that all her grandchildren were college graduates with the youngest, Colton, beginning his college education this school year.

She was preceded in death by her parents Mark and Bertha Springer Burke, and her husband L. R. (Pete) Lagrone. She is survived by sons John Lagrone (Cheryl) of Concord and Mark Lagrone of Spring; daughters Cathy Nichols (Ronnie) and Teena Adams (John) of Centerville. Grandchildren Kevin Lagrone of Troy; Rebecca Johnson of Allen; Ronald Nichols of Georgia; Clint Adams (Heather) of Centerville; Colby Nichols (Kallie) of Austin; Kelsey Moore (Jared) of Alto; Stacey Payne (Ryan) of Willis and Colton Adams of Centerville. Her great grandchildren include Morgan Meadows; Jaedyn Crum; Ashton and Owen Adams. Lydia, Quinn and Camp Nichols; and McKenna Moore. Her brother, Springer Burke (Dorothy) of Leona, also survives her. Other survivors are sisters-in-law Bess Vajdak (Ed); Shirley Lagrone; Maudie Ellis; and Margie Yeates (Don) and brother-in-law, Harold Lagrone; many nieces and nephews; special friends and caregivers Karen Savage and Marilyn Shipman, special friend Margret Selman, her work family at Leon County Abstract Company, and many special friends and Concord neighbors.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 25, at Walters Funeral Home in Centerville with family present from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at Walters Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Pallbearers are David Peacock, Keith Lagrone, Johnny Murff, Joe Burke, Mike Asby, and Mike Wilson. Honorary pallbearers are Bubba Turner, James Ainsworth, Jerry Powers, Wayne McGuire, and Greg Wilson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Concord Cemetery, PO Box 16, Concord, Texas, 77850.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.