Edna Mae Strader

Edna Strader, a feisty, funny, “tell you like it is” former Orlando resident, whose love of family and her faith in God were the foundations of her life, died on Monday, June 1, 2026 in Vero Beach, FL at the age of 98.

Edna was born on Sept 3. 1927 in Ziegler, IL the youngest of 10 children of Willard D. Fox and Bessie Lee Cook. She graduated from Georgetown Township HS in 1945 where she was known to be outgoing and affectionately called “Effie” and “Foxy” by her classmates. After graduating from high school, she began her studies on becoming a Registered Nurse while working at St Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, IL. It was there, across the street from the hospital at a sandwich shop where the nurses would go grab a bite to eat, that she met the “neighborhood boy” she would later marry.

After completing her RN certification in early 1949, Edna married George R Strader, who was then serving in United States Air Force, on June 25, 1949 in San Antonio, Tx. She became a military wife and mother travelling the country from Texas to California to South Carolina back to Texas again all while growing their family.

Edna’s greatest love was her family! Everything she did, she did for “her kids”. Her life was focused on providing a loving home and stability in the midst of life and service in the military, which meant she was often raising her 5 children alone.

Edna found time to enjoy one of her favorite sports, bowling, which she became very good at as was evident by her trophies and multiple Scoring Pins she displayed. She was also really good at the game of Bridge which she and fellow service members wives would play to relax and support one another.

Edna and George retired to Orlando Florida in 1970 where she loved to work in her yard, gardening, growing roses (her favorite flower) and endeavoring in many new hobbies from doll making, beaded Christmas ornaments to making beautiful ceramic pieces. She was able to begin a new stage in her life as a Grandmother who became known as “MeMa”.

She absolutely loved being “MeMa” and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them, even going to work at the neighborhood Fairway Markets grocery store to earn some extra income to help out in any way she could.

After the death of her husband George in 1997, it was only a matter of time, when the desire to be closer to her grandchildren, led Edna to move to Vero Beach in 2001 where she took great joy and pride in finding and purchasing her first home on her own! She thrived being around her family and stayed busy non stop walking 2 to 3 miles every day and spending hours working in her yard and gardens well into her 90’s. She could shop until YOU drop with her boundless energy and attitude! You could find her on the floor coloring with her great grand daughter or hovering over a puzzle at the kitchen table and competing on being the one to place the last puzzle piece. She was very competitive and wasn’t shy about it! She was the matriarch, the rock and strength of the family.

She had unconditional love for her children, grandchildren and great grand children, who were ALL the apple of her eye.

Along with her love of family; her faith and trust in God were paramount and foundational. Raised in the Protestant tradition, she converted to Catholicism when she married and was a member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Orlando before becoming a member of St Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach.

Edna believed in the power and comfort of prayer and would often go to church early to say the rosary before mass and to lift up her family in prayer for protection and happiness…which was all she ever wanted for her kids…and for them to have faith.

She held onto her faith and trust as she made a major life change by moving from her home and into The Brennity of Vero Beach Assisted Living.

At 91 years old she was running circles around the staff and often telling them what to do as she ruled the Bingo games, medaled in competition at the Brennity Games and was a Wii Bowling Champion and held the record for highest score.

The care and love that she received from the entire staff at The Brennity of Vero Beach, from the dining room, HHAs, Nurses, Activities, to House Keeping and Volunteers, they were all such a blessing and provided her and her family with great comfort and peace. They took extra special care of her and knew what she liked and especially what she didn’t like…because she was sure to tell them!

The staff from VNA hospice also provided her with heartfelt comfort care and support at the end of life.

Edna lived life to the fullest and fought the good fight. She was tired and she was ready. She passed peacefully surrounded by family and love.

Edna is survived by her loving sons: Tom (Bastrop, Tx), Jerry and his wife, Pam (Austin, Tx), and her son in law, Dave Stewart (Kenansville, FL).

And by her loving daughters: Shirley and her wife Natalie (Orlando, FL) and Janet Yandle (Vero Beach, FL), her daughter, Teresa Stewart, preceded her in death in 2019.

She is also survived by her 8 Grandchildren: Kenny, Christopher, Leti, Carly, Amber, Chad (Tina), Korey (Nadia), and Kiley, and her 12 Great Grandchildren: Ikaika, Dustin, Jaelynn, Rhiannon, Layla, Damek, Jack, Andrik, Brock, Jaxson, Ayden, and Kayla.

Edna was also preceded in death by her brothers: Clyde, Gaylord, Gene, Bill, Fred and her sisters: Gertrude, Juanita, Muriel and Rose.

A Funeral Service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on June 20, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Committal Service at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Cremation Gardens, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on June 20, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.