Edith was born to William “Jack” and Augusta Turner on January 9, 1936, in the tiny East Texas hamlet of Edgewood, Texas. The youngest of seven children, her first years were accompanied by profound Depression-era poverty. Her devoted mother, Augusta, desperately fought to provide for her seven children after their father abandoned the family – never to be seen again. Augusta found shelter for Edith and her two older sisters when they were admitted to Buckner Children’s Home in Dallas. Buckner provided shelter, food, and clothing for the three small girls. It also provided a job for Augusta. The three girls spent each Sunday afternoon with their mother and many times were joined by their visiting older siblings. While Edith’s separation from family was difficult, her years at Buckner fostered a strong faith in God, an unshakeable moral code, a devotion to learning and a lifelong passion for piano. Her early life also made her acutely aware that family is to be cherished most of all.
After Augusta remarried and returned to East Texas, Edith graduated as salutatorian of her Edgewood High School class. She soon met Buddy Day, who would become her first husband. Buddy and Edith married on June 7, 1953, and moved to Houston, Texas where Buddy began his real estate development career while Edith worked for Stewart Title Company. Over the next 57 years, Buddy and Edith welcomed their two children into the world, formed friendships that would last a lifetime and faithfully devoted themselves to the service of God.
Nine years after Buddy’s death in 2010, Edith was surprised to find love again. She and a fellow church member, Jerry Guadagno, soon married and spent the next four years providing the love and support to each other that both thought they would never find again. Edith viewed Jerry’s unselfish love as an unexpected gift from a loving God.
Edith was a wonderfully complex person. She ceaselessly doted on those she loved and yet was embarrassed to receive gifts. She loved social gatherings but despised being the focus of attention. Though a stickler for propriety, she loved to laugh and carefully disguised a wicked sense of humor. She was the first to help those in need (playing the piano for churches and nursing homes until two weeks ago), but fiercely guarded her own privacy.
Most of all, Edith loved serving her family. She was the lynchpin who held the family together. Her children and their spouses loved her with all their hearts. To her six grandchildren, she was the “cool” grandmother with whom they could safely confide anything. She was the ultimate encourager: wise, compassionate, and kind. Her husband, Jerry, may have said it best: “It was a privilege to have loved her.”
Edith was predeceased by her first husband, H.A. “Buddy” Day, her parents Arley and Augusta Hitt, and siblings Doris Turner Lamb and Annie Merle Turner Douthit. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Guadagno and her two children Phillip (Gayla) Day and Kathi (Mike) Williamson. Edith is survived by her siblings Douglas Turner, Ray Turner, Eva Nell Turner Kimler Jackson, and Mary Turner Jackson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Devon (Scott) Sharp, Drew (April) Williamson, Spencer (Jessica) Day, Grant (Courtney) Williamson, Shelby Day (Creagh Cross) and Jeffrey Day. She is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren Matéa Williamson, Milo Williamson, Fitz Williamson, Freja Williamson, West Williamson, Phoebe Sharp, Jonah Sharp, Emilia Day, Jude Day, Theo Day, Xander Cross and Abraham Cross.
There will be a Memorial Service at the First Baptist Church of Keller, Texas, 225 Keller Parkway, Keller, Texas 76248 on March the 8th at 11:30 a.m.
Memorials may be made to the church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Guadagno family.
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