Edith Vardell Brittain

Lord and Savior. She was born on September 1, 1930 in Ada, Oklahoma,

the fourth child of Lavada Abbott and Gordon Reed. Edith was predeceased by her parents, her baby brother, her twin sisters, Loyce Reed Franks and Joyce Reed Crawford, both of Lumberton. She is

survived by her son, Paul R. Padgett, III and his wife, Wanda Henry of Fred; her grandson, Paul R. Padgett, IV of Bridge City; her great-grand

daughter, Seeley Elizabeth Padgett of Fred; her nieces, Tammy Franks

Rogas and her husband, Dan of Lumberton and Lisa Woods Hunter of Beaumont; two great nieces, Jordan Rogas of New York and Madison Rogas, of Virginia.

Edith was born at her grandmother’s home joining her twin sisters, Loyce and Joyce. Her maternal grandparents had settled outside of Ada (named after her paternal grandmother) in what was at that time the Indian Territory on several hundred acres and raised 12 children. Edith’s parents divorced shortly after she was born and the girls grew up in their grandparents’ large home among all their aunts, uncles, cousins and horses—young Edith’s greatest joy. Her

youngest aunt was born the same year she was and they grew up like

sisters and became the greatest of friends. Life on the Abbott farm was

idyllic—completely insulated from the ravages of the Great Depression. It was a large, working farm with crops, a vineyard, fruit and nut trees, cattle and the usual barnyard stock that kept the family and crew well fed. Her grandfather also had a gristmill, post office and general store

which served their area of south eastern Oklahoma.

Edith’s mother remarried 1938 to Homer Mahan, a rag & bone man/ sometime antique dealer. In 1941 Homer moved the family to Beaumont and opened Noah’s Ark—a true junk gypsy’s delight. The girls and their mother ran the store while Homer traveled the South buying up estates and junk that he in turn sold for a profit.

Edee was graduated from French High School in 1946 and 1948 married Paul Padgett of Dallas. Paul, Jr was born in 1949. The marriage was short lived, and she and her son moved home with her parents. In

1950 Edith was graduated from Beauty School and became a beautician

in the Beaumont area. She remarried a few years later to Robert Brittain

and together they raised Paul, Jr. in the north end of Beaumont. She and

Robert divorced in 1978 but remained friends for the rest of their

lives.

Edith was a raving beauty with a ready smile and an infectious laugh, adored by all who knew her. She was a life long Christian and Evangelist

who brought many to Christ and lived to serve and study God’s Word.

She was a member and Sunday school teacher of First Baptist Church,

Beaumont and at their mission for the under-privileged. In her later years, she worked at Wal-Mart in Lumberton in their communications department.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Village Creek

Rehabilitation Center, Lumberton for their kindness, generosity and care of Edith in the last years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in

Edith’s honor to her last church:

First Baptist Church, 202 S. Charlton St., Woodville, TX 75979

or a charity of one’s choosing.

The family gathered for a private internment at Forest Lawn on November 21. A celebration of Edith’s life will be held on January 2, 2016 at the home of her niece, Tammy and Dan Rogas, Jr. 880 West Walton Road, Lumberton. All are welcome.