Edna Jackson Bearnes

Edna Jackson Bearnes loved flowers. She also loved her family, friends, caregivers, The Lawrence Welk Show, dancing, vodka tonics, Downton Abbey, everything about England, TJ Maxx, bargain-hunting, traveling, hot tea, dessert, gardening, feeding birds, offering her opinion and being near water. Edna left this life on September 17, 2017, at the Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC. Born July 18, 1925, in Bradford, England to Amy and Ludwick Jackson, Edna lived a long, challenging and rewarding life. After surviving the Nazi bombings of London, she met her future husband, the late Kendell Leeroy Bearnes, at a dance when he was stationed in England with the Canadian RAF during WWII. She married Ken after his liberation from a POW camp and followed him back to his Ohio hometown as the war bride of a soon-to-become US Marine. With Ken, Edna raised two daughters, whom she loved dearly, even when she could never quite get them to follow most of her suggestions. And Edna was always full of suggestions. She loved to share advice on clothing, hairstyles, romance, politics, decorating, traveling, budgeting and shopping. Her smiles were wide and her wit was sharp. Edna worked most of her professional life as a bookkeeper. So, she enjoyed anything to do with keeping track of money - preparing tax returns, balancing accounts and finding a deal. She is survived by daughter Lisa Richey of Lake Waccamaw, NC (Tom Caperton of Whiteville, NC); son-in-law, Joe Couch of New Bern, NC; grandsons Joe Couch (Heather) of Havelock, NC and Jay Couch (Booke Kuzman) of Supply, NC; great-grandchildren Alyssa, Blake, Harley, McKenna, and Jerrah; brother-in-law Allan Hollis of Somersett, England, and nephews Nicky, Jon, and Kevin. In addition to her parents, Edna was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Mari Lee Bearnes Couch, sister Marie Hollis, and nephew Michael Seaney. A private burial service will take place at the New Bern National Cemetery. A High Tea Celebration of Edna’s life will be held on October 8, 2017 from 4-6 pm at the Home Instead Senior Care Life Enrichment Center (3601 Trent Rd, Ste 4, New Bern, NC). Hats and gloves are optional. Since Edna loved flowers so much, Lisa invites you to honor her mom by sharing your time and flowers with someone in a Senior Care or Hospice facility. In lieu of flowers, feel free to contribute to the Kitty Askins Hospice Center (107 Handley Park Ct, Goldsboro, NC 27534), or the organization of your choice. Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory