Edith McGhee Stansell was born on July 7, 1913, near Woodsboro, Texas, to Lloyd H. McGhee and Laura Fern Barclay McGhee. She was the oldest of four children - Jenny Williams, Lloyd McGhee, and Jewel Dickens who all predeceased her. Edith attended school in Kerrville, Texas and later in Sonora, Texas, where she graduated from high school. She worked for a short time as a telephone operator until she was placed in charge of the re-employment office in Sutton County during the Depression where she tried to match workers with jobs. She was working for the Sonora superintendent of the schools when friends in San Angelo introduced her to Robert Ford Stansell in 1934. They were married in 1935. They had two daughters - Patricia and Pamela. Soon after they married, they moved into an apartment in one of the officer's quarters at Ft. Concho. The family moved to Slaton, Texas, in 1951. Edith and Ford lived there for more than 35 years before moving back to San Angelo. Ford died in 1998, but they had over 63 wonderful years together. Besides being a full-time mother and homemaker, Edith was always active in her church and community. She was a member of a quilting club in Slaton as well as serving as Worthy Matron in Eastern Star. She served as an election judge for many years. After moving back to San Angelo, she became active with the Lions Club and a volunteer at SA Community Hospital. She also sewed, knitted, crocheted, and tatted. She loved to play games and always played to win. She loved puzzles of all kinds and reading, especially mysteries. Edith and Ford both loved to travel, she had been in all fifty states and many countries of the British Isles and Northern Europe as well as Canada. She made a trip to Cloudcroft, New Mexico last year to visit the cabin she and Ford had built in the 1960's. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Dane and husband, Delbert Hawkins of San Angelo, and grandchildren John Dane of Beverly, MA, and Karena Dane and husband Rob Gregston of Ballinger, and Cory and wife Julianne Hawkins of San Antonio. A catered visitation will be held at Johnson's Funeral Home, Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 1 PM-2 PM with graveside services to follow at Johnson's Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens Cemetery beginning at 3 PM. The family would like to thank Hospice of San Angelo for all that they did for Edith. Contributions to them or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home.
