Edith Woodward Hutchison, also known as Mom, Mema and friend, is celebrating her 100th birthday! On May 21, 2024, she is officially 100 years young.
Read on for a story about a special woman, full of tenacity and love, who brings much joy to many!
Born in Leefield, Georgia (close to Stilson) in 1924, Edith was a 1941 graduate of the Stilson School and attended Georgia State College for Women in 1942 when she was 18. While waiting to enter the nursing program, she took a temporary job. “I liked the money and working at the Army AirField in Savannah,” she said. But that wasn't all she liked! It was there she met her future husband Harold Hutchison, and they were married soon after in 1943.
After the war, the Hutchisons returned to Stilson, and Edith became a farmer's wife and mother of two, Carol and Rick.
Edith, attributes her long life to staying busy and engaging with life. She said smiling, “I feel that 100 is the new 70!”
Earlier in her life, she played an active role as a farmer's wife, mother, grandmother, and later great grandmother. She was very involved in church activities at Old Fellowship Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Statesboro, the Women's Missionary Union, the Homemakers Club, Caring Threads, Garden Club,and being a Pink Lady at the ‘old hospital’ (Bulloch Memorial), and later part of the Auxiliary of EGRMC.
While living in Stilson, she worked at the local post office as Acting Postal Mistress. When life changed, she made a decision to live closer to her children. She chose Statesboro, where her son Rick lives, so she could still be close to Old Fellowship, her friends, and family. She also wanted to be able to continue enjoying games of Canasta (her favorite!) with her ‘besties’ in Stilson.
Her daughter Carol shared,”My Mom always put everyone else before herself. She made me a new Easter dress every year and cooked everyone's favorite food. She was a hard-working farm wife.”
Rick recalled that, “Going to church every Sunday was NOT optional! One of my fondest memories was Mom serving us waffles for breakfast on Sunday morning. I think she knew that we would be up and ready in plenty of time for Sunday School!”
Edith’s love for crafts, canasta, sewing, crocheting, hostessing, and shopping gave her the title “Best Little Shopper," smiled Cathy Hutchison, daughter-in-law.
International travel, especially to Switzerland/Europe and the Holy Land, hold special memories for Hutchison, too.
Her great-granddaughter Edie Grice shared, “Mema Edith is the heart of my world. She's my guide to savoring the slow dance of life. She sparked my wanderlust for travel, my love for the melodies (Frank Sinatra and Etta James), my passion for reading, playing card games, cooking, baking, crafts, gardening, and crocheting.”
Lori Grice, Edith's first grandchild added, “How blessed am I to be 54 and still have a grandmother? The one word that best describes her is CONSISTENT, and she has been, throughout my entire life! An old cliche says ‘grow or die.’ She has definitely proved how important it is to ‘grow’!”
Edith shared a few little things that have made her life a joy. She whispered, “Lemon layer cake, pink and blue colors, seeing my family happy. Plus one of my greatest memories was seeing my babies born.”
A very special birthday party was held for Edith on Saturday afternoon, May 18.
On this milestone birthday, we wish you, Mrs. Edith, the happiest day of everything you love and great health to ENJOY all you desire!
“Everyday with her is a treasure, a lesson in living fully, loving deeply, and finding joy. She taught me to cherish the little things, and doing so, she's given me everything. I love her more than words can express," Edie Grace Grice
