Born in New York City to Clayton and Cornelia Bullard, Edith moved to Raleigh in 1940 where she lived for the remainder of her life. Edith was one of five children, two brothers, Don & Bill Bullard and two sisters, Fay McCutchen and Audrey Brantly. Edith attended Hugh Morson High School graduating in 1951. Edith’s parents were both born in rural North Carolina with limited education so supporting five children was a financial challenge for her parents but they never felt lacking for anything. Between the love they shared and her mother’s country cooking, they truly were a family. Edith carried these values throughout her life teaching her sons the importance of being a family and never wasting anything. She could stretch a dollar an amazing long way and her cooking was as delicious as her mother’s. Edith met George Costa in high school and they were married in 1950. She spent her high school senior year as a married woman. Raleigh was considered a small town in those days and it seemed you knew everyone. Edith’s father Clayton, a Raleigh police officer and George’s father Harry, a restaurant owner, had known each other for years prior. Apparently Clayton enjoyed the hotdogs at Harry’s restaurant.
Edith and George started their family in 1953 when Harry was born. This was not easy for Edith because George was serving in the Korean Conflict. She might have been alone for the birth except her strong and loving parents provided her with a safe home for her and her child. It was eighteen months before George could hold his son for the first time. Two years later in 1955 James (Jimmy) was born and two years after that Gregory (Greg) came along. Edith and George eventually built a home in North Raleigh where they lived together until their divorce in 1973. After raising her family, Edith decided to follow her dream of becoming an interior decorator. She completed her course studies and was hired at National Art and Interiors in Raleigh were she stayed for many years before being hired by J.C. Penny Corporation. Whenever a decorating decision needed to be made, she would offer her opinion, even if you didn’t think you needed one although she was usually right.
Edith, after years of apartment life, secured a government loan that allowed her to build a small home in Wake Forest. Once again she could stretch that dollar so her home was beautiful. She couldn’t afford to buy window treatments but her sewing ability was professional quality. She could make inexpensive decorating items look like a million dollars.
Edith’s life had its turns as do most but when she met John Floreth it turned to joy and happiness. Our family has tremendous respect and love for him. John and Edith shared much in common. Their love for travel was second only to playing bridge but their love for each other was untouchable. They were married in 2005 surrounded by family and friends. John had three daughters, Tracey, Deanna and Tammy and with Edith’s three sons, they were the Brady Bunch in reverse. John’s passing in 2022 was heartbreaking to us all.
Edith is survived by three sons, Harry and wife Tamara, Jimmy, Greg and wife Sheri, three step-daughters Tracey and husband Roland, DeAnna and husband Tony, and Tammy, seven grandchildren, two step grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A special thanks to all the family and friends that spent time with her in the last month and a SPECIAL thanks to Taylor with Heartland Hospice.
A service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 2:00pm in the Mausoleum at Oakwood Cemetery (701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh).
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1