Edna Marie Briggs

Edna Marie Halford Briggs was called to Heaven to be reunited with her beloved husband Carl on August 29, 2021 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She was born October 9, 1928 in Bethany, Oklahoma to Ernest M. and Pauline Halford (Sherrill). She graduated from Bethany High School and worked at the local five and dime store TG&Y.

In 1949 she met the love of her life, Carl Briggs. They were married on December 3, 1949 and started a family. Edna spent many years as a homemaker, caring for her husband and their seven children. When the kids got old enough, she re-entered the workplace, cooking and serving lunches for the students at Bethel Public Schools, where her children attended. Later she worked for Shawnee schools until her retirement in 1981.

Edna’s main focus was her large family. She never looked for the spotlight, but was always there when needed. After cooking all day at work, she came home and cooked delicious meals for her family. She also baked pies and cakes, sewed clothing, bandaged cuts and scrapes, canned vegetables (grown by her husband), and a thousand other tasks. In her later years she could always be relied upon to cook numerous desserts for family holiday gatherings.

Having lived through the Great Depression, Edna loved a bargain. She collected Green Stamps and scoured garage sales for clothing and other items useful for her growing family. Even in the weeks before her passing, she was always ready for a trip to the local thrift shops.

The Bethel community also benefited from Edna’s generosity and service. In 1958 she and her husband Carl joined Bethel United Methodist Church where both were active in many aspects of the church for decades. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and for years she baked the bread used for communion. Whenever there was a church supper or funeral meal, Edna was always there.

Edna was active in Scouting, serving as Den Mother for the Cub Scouts in the 1960s. Later she became a leader for the Explorers when they went co-ed in the 1970s. Edna was affectionately known as “Ma” to the young men and women of Explorer Post 424.

The camping continued after she was no longer involved in Scouting. She accompanied her husband and children on many a fishing trip, including a two week stay at Lake Texoma every summer for decades. Edna would fish a little bit, but was more likely to be found relaxing in her lawn chair with a crossword puzzle – when she wasn’t cooking or investigating the garage sales in Kingston or Durant. Later she and Carl were able to travel, including a cruise to Cancun and a week-long excursion on Lake Powell in a houseboat.

As the years went by, Edna’s family grew, and her joy increased with every grandchild, great grandchild, and great great grandchild. She never passed up an opportunity to be with family. At the time of her passing, her descendants (including spouses) numbered over 100 – and counting. For the last several months of her life, she was lovingly cared for by her children and other family members. We all became fondly aware that she preferred her coffee weak but hot, and her waffles crispy.

Edna is preceded in death by her beloved husband Carl; parents Ernest M. Halford and Pauline Sherrill Halford; brothers Lester Halford and Lowell Halford; grandsons Brian Newell and Christopher Boyer, and great granddaughter Kelsey Briggs.

She is survived by her son Terry Briggs and wife Pam of North Richland Hills, TX; son Patrick Briggs of Meeker, OK; daughter Connie Mathews and husband Jim Wilkins of Shawnee, OK; son Randy Briggs and wife Debbie of Tecumseh, OK; daughter Nancy Boyer and husband Chuck of Shawnee, OK; son Royce Briggs and wife Kathie of Meeker, OK; and son Michael Briggs of Shawnee, OK; brother Larry Halford of San Diego, CA; 19 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Sat, September 4th at 10:00am at Resthaven Memorial Park east of Shawnee. Out of concern for the health of the mourners, the service will be outdoors at the Trinity Pavilion, followed by a short graveside ceremony. The service will be streamed to Resthaven's facebook page at www.facebook.com/ResthavenFuneralHomeAndMemorialPark/. There will be a visitation period at Resthaven on Friday evening from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Bethel United Methodist Church.