It was in 1941 in Petersburg, Virginia, at the beginning of World War II, when Edith Ann Ross Mattingly was born. She was one of four siblings and the middle girl. Her family was poor, as many people were at that time, with only one pair of shoes each year and barefoot summers.
Her family’s heritage was French/Canadian on her father’s side and Irish on her mother’s. Her father, Adrian L. Ross, was a printer by trade and a percussionist by choice.
One of her daughter’s favorite stories that Edith recounted was when, as a child, she lived in Marshall, Texas. Nina, her mother, made costumes for Edith and her siblings to wear in a parade. Tom in his Boy Scout uniform playing his drum, Frances dressed as a Senorita, Edith a Scottie, and Ruth a Dutch girl. Edith also had her picture taken with her beau.
The family moved from Marshall, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee, where her father started a new job as a ready set printer for the Memphis Commercial Appeal. West Lexington Circle was their address where the kids enjoyed summers swimming in the neighborhood creek.
After being introduced by a friend, Edith married the love of her life, Richard Mattingly. She owned her own hair salon for a while and following the close of her business she worked as a receptionist for Gould Styling Salons, but she was always available to cut hair for her nieces and nephews. In 1959 Edith gave birth to her daughter, Cathy Ann.
Precious memories of those years include summers in the pool, and Edith cooking and canning each season. The fruits of her labor were always appreciated, especially her pickled okra. Easters were special for the Mattingly’s and Edith delighted in this time. A festive family tradition was the hiding of Easter eggs, including one golden egg containing money. One year, Edith and Fran hid the golden egg so well that it was never found- even by them!
In 1996 Edith received a call from the Department of Human Services inquiring if she had given up a child for adoption. Although she did not want to, Edith had given up a baby boy because, at the time, she knew it was in his best interest. What a joyous day when Edith was reunited with her son, Anthony Michael Anglin. Tony looked like a Ross with curly hair and family features. Upon meeting him, Cathy hugged Tony tightly, so thrilled to meet her brother.
Edith joined her late husband, Richard, in Heaven on Friday, March 20, 2020.
She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Ann Bailey; son, Anthony Michael Anglin and his wife Kimberly; grandchildren, Kimberly Sewell and husband Drew, Anthony Michael Anglin, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Everet Sewell, Aria Skye Anglin and Memphis Rose Anglin; step-grandchildren, Ashley Livingston, and Dustin Napier; step-great-grandchildren, Dawson, Olivia, Nola, and Adele; nieces, Rita Michelle Harmon, Theresa Golden, and Yvette Golden; and nephew, Tony Carter.
Edith will best be remembered for her passion for jigsaw puzzles and her legacy of love she passed to her family and friends.
