Edith Elouise Potter

Edith Elouise Potter, of Ventura, entered eternal life Monday, August 16, 2010. She was born May 31, 1919 in Los Angeles to John Joseph and Ora Russell Floyd.

As a small child, she came to Ventura County, where she was raised and educated in local schools.

During World War II, Edith met a young sailor from Vermont, who was stationed at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme. They were married June 21, 1946, upon his return from duty with the Seabees in the South Pacific. Last June, they celebrated 64 years of marriage.

As a child, Edith made and professed a commitment to the Christian faith, and trusted in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through all the joys and adversities of life. She had been a member of the Ventura Missionary Church for many years, where she and Earl sang in the Silvertones Choir and enjoyed many friendships. She and Earl are currently members of the Ventura Baptist Church.

She was also a 25-year member of the California State Old Time Fiddler’s Association (CSOTFA), District 8, of Ventura County; Ventura chapter of Aglow International; Ventura Marina Republican Women’s Club; San Buenaventura Women’s Club, GFWC Monticola Club, of Susanville, Calif.; Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1679, Ventura; American Legion, Post 339, Ladies’ Auxiliary; Ventura Artists Guild; Ventura County Humane Society; and the Humane Society of Franklin County, Vermont.

Edith had a deep love and concern for animals, especially her beloved little poodles, Taffy, Beau and Suzette. She was a poet, and wrote wonderful poetry and essays, which were awarded honorable mention. Also an accomplished artist, Edith won many awards, including blue ribbons at the Ventura County Fair, for her beautiful, realistic oil paintings of landscapes, seascapes, and flowers.

Edith loved music, especially Classical, opera, Big Band, and the country western fiddle music played by her friends at CSOTFA, where she and Earl spent many happy hours.

She was passionate in her love for America and its ideals. A main concern in her life was that people would always remember the sacrifices made by the veterans of our country, who fought in the great wars and gave so much to ensure the freedom our nation has today.

She was a woman who encompassed the attributes of integrity, loyalty, and compassion, and her many friends were recipients of these respective traits. Edith will be remembered by her family and friends for her ready smile and many kind deeds. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her, especially her loving husband, Earl H. Potter; daughter and son-in-law, Sherry Scott and Tim Jack, of Ventura; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Janice Potter, of Klamath Falls, Ore.; grandsons, Bob Gregorchuk, and his wife, Darcy, of Ventura, and Ryan Potter and his wife, Denise, of Susanville, Calif.; granddaughters, Julie Gregorchuk and partner, Linda Kueneman, of Ventura, and Kari Potter, of Klamath Falls; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Savanna, Preston, Ian, Kyle, Carrie, Sarah, Gage and Caden; sister-in-law, Doris Farnsworth, of Vermont; and many dear friends, including Rae Huffman, of Oxnard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and eldest son, Lawrence “Larry” James Parker, who died in 1986.

Edith’s faith in God was a constant source of comfort during her life. Her favorite scripture was from the King James Version of the Bible, John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

Friends may visit from 2-7 p.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, August 19, also at the funeral home, with Dr. Leonard W. De Witt of Ventura Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ventura County Rescue Mission, 125 South Harrison Ave., Oxnard, CA 93030; or the Los Angeles Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, VARO Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Rm. 5227, West Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com.