Edith Mae Crookham Weygandt, 94, passed away peacefully June 27, 2018, her daughter, Merlyn Bost, at her side. Edith was a resident of Winston Salem, NC for 65 years. She lived the last 13 years as a resident of Independence Village and Forest Heights Senior Living, respectively. Edith was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania April 25, 1924, and raised in Donora, Pennsylvania. She completed a music education in voice at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She was a vocalist with The Maurice Spitalmy Orchestra, traveling with the USO during WWII. She was known professionally as Edythe Aymes. She made national commercials for White Rain Shampoo and Toni Home Permanents in 1952. She also hosted her own music program on KDKA TV, Pittsburg in the 1950’s. She made her first album “Songs For A Rainy Day” in 1959 with NRC Records, afterwards choosing to be a full-time mother over her professional career. She continued to be involved with music throughout her life. She was chosen Mrs. Winston Salem in 1960, in part due to her musical talents. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and the Senior Choir at Calvary Baptist Church.
Edith is remembered by her family as a very loving and caring mother, never saying an unkind word and always encouraging her children and grandchildren. She was known for being a positive and uplifting presence. Her singing and piano playing brightened the atmosphere in the two retirement communities in in which she lived.
Edith was preceeded in death by her artist-husband of 60 years, Merle E. Weygandt in 2006.
Her parents, Flora and Louis Crookham, her sisters, Catherine Woods and Olivia Emory all preceeded her in death. Her first husband, David Reffner, died serving in the US Army in Europe during the closing days of the WWll. She is survived by her 3 children Eric V. Weygandt (wife Betty), Merlyn W. Bost (husband Michael), and Derek A. Weygandt (wife Mayumi) & grandchildren Jonathan Weygandt, Zena Weygandt, Mitchel Weygandt, and Bruce Weygandt.
The family thanks Forest Heights Caregivers for their loving care and all the staff at Forsyth Hospital for their care the last 18 hours of her life.
Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Frank Vogler & Son’s Funeral Home.
CROOKHAM WEYGANDT
WINSTON SALEM
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