Edythe Lorraine Toates, 101, of Nixa, Mo., died in her home Sunday, April 23, 2017.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Colman, SD. Burial will follow in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Colman.
Edythe “wanted to go on Sunday, and she didn’t want to be late.” She was born Dec. 18, 1915, in Rutland, , the daughter of LeRoy and Lida Viola (Brown) Pickard. She married to William Josiah Toates Feb. 16, 1934.
She and Bill worked hard on the farm homesteaded by Bill’s grandfather near Colman, “Sunnyside Stock Farm.” Edythe canned and froze produce from her garden every year. She raised chickens and sold eggs to help support the family, and was frugal and Godly in all she did. They operated a dairy business, selling milk to the local cheese factory.
As a seamstress, she sewed clothing for her children. Edythe loved her church, and enjoyed playing the piano and organ, teaching Sunday school and Bible school, and helping with Bible camp. When Bill became unable to work on the farm, they moved to Nixa.
Bill died in 1994. Edythe continued to keep busy, volunteering at St. John’s Good Buy Shop, presenting beautiful tatting creations to her friends and family, and being a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church in Nixa.
Survivors include: six children and their spouses, Raymond (LaNell) Toates of Nixa, Joseph (Georgianna) Toates of Greenville, S.C., Lois (Joseph) Fahl of Nixa, Helen (Jim) Adams of Strafford, Mo., Betty (Paul) Powers of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and Phyllis (Dan) Smith of Vermontville, Mich.; daughter-in-law Maridee Toates of Flandreau; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and son John.
For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.
