Edith Mae Vawter

Edith was born in Cherryville, Kansas to John Floyd and Pauline Ketner. They moved to Battlecreek, MI before finally settling in Rector, AR. It was there Edith began her teaching career at age 18 in a one-room school house and she continued to teach for some 65 plus years.

She married Leon Vawter on Sept. 11, 1943. After WWII they made their home in Monticello, AR where Leon was head of the counseling department at Arkansas A & M College. Edith attended A & M and received her BA in Elementary Education and her teaching degree. She is included in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and a member of Delta Gamma.

In 1961, Leon, Edith and four children moved to Bakersfield, CA where Edith taught at Vineland Elementary for two years. In 1963 they moved to Santa Maria, CA where she taught at Cook Elementary, Miller Elementary, and Christian Life School and served as principal of Pacific Christian School. She loved teaching and enjoyed her students. She was a long-time member of Pacific Christian Center where she was Christian Ed. Director, sang in the choir and visited shut-ins.

Whether she was baking a casserole, teaching a child, or picking up an autumn leaf, everything Edith did was filled with love. She was a wonderful wife and mother and adored by her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Salerno (husband, Tony); sons, Richard (wife, Camilla), James Robert (wife, Linda) and Jared (wife, Julie) Vawter; grandchildren Richard Jr., Lauren Kelley, Anthony Salerno, Sarah, Robert, Floyd, Henriette, Jill, Jake and Jonathan Vawter and great-grandchild, Andrew Kelley.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013, 1:00 P.M. at Bethany Chapel Assembly of God, 1076 E. Stroube St., Oxnard, CA 93036.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Forever Kids, 212 E. Rowland #305, Covina, CA 91723 or online at foreverkids.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.