Edith Plater Stockton

Edith Elizabeth Plater Stockton was born March 20, 1931, in Washington, DC to John Oswald Plater, Sr and Bertha Angelica Morgan Plater. She was the eldest of three children and the only daughter of this union. Edith was a devout Roman Catholic her entire life with her journey in the faith starting with Holy Comforter Church in Washington, DC. Edith grew up in Washington where her schooling began at Syphax Elementary School, then Randall Junior High School and later graduating from Dunbar Senior High School. After High School, she began her undergraduate matriculation at Howard University in the School of Music where she eventually received a Bachelor of Fine Music. After graduation, Edith felt the calling to help other students and traveled to Montgomery, Alabama where she taught Music Education at Alabama State College for nine months. Upon returning to Washington, she served as a substitute teacher at several high schools before entering into Federal Service where she worked for the Census Bureau followed by the Department of Labor and concluding her federal civil service at the Department of Agriculture.

On October 20, 1956, Edith was joined in Holy Matrimony to her college sweetheart John Stockton. From that union came the gems of her life; their three beautiful daughters. Family was very important to Edith, so it was during her last federal job at the Department of Agriculture where she took leave to care for her last daughter most of her young life. Edith often spoke of this experience as a truly wonderful time to watch her last born grow, attend school trips, activities and all the wonderful things she missed with her first two children.

After a long hiatus, and with her children growing up, she rejoined the workforce and began a second career at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Coming in as an older employee, she described this as a truly well spent learning and educational experience. After 15 years, she retired from Georgetown on March 31, 1995.

In retirement, life continued for Edith and John. They enjoyed their summer vacation home on the St. Clements Bay in St Mary’s County. They traveled to Seattle, Hawaii, Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. After 2019 with the passing of her beloved husband John, Edith continued her travels with her family to Palm Beach, Florida where she stayed at her favorite Hotel - The Breakers Resort and Spa.

Edith always had a love of music, opera and the arts. She often attended concerts as well as becoming a celloist with the Riderwood Music Group in Montgomery County. This was nothing new to her because she played the piano, the violin, and the cello. In her life, she was a member of various music groups including the Montgomery Orchestra, Commerce Orchestra and Merriweather Post under the direction of Director Nicholas Pappas. She was very proud of all of her musical accomplishments.

On Thursday, December 7, 2023, while surrounded by her 3 daughters, grandson, son-in-law, granddaughter, niece, nephew, and special close friends, her time on earth concluded as God called her home. Cherishing memories are her daughters Sharman Dyson, Anne Stockton, Jennifer (Randall) Cunningham, her grandson James (La Tashia) Dyson IV, granddaughter Maya Little, grandson Nikoli Cunningham, granddaughter Morgan Cunningham, a close friend Donnie Little, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Edith was preceded in death by her husband John Henry, her parents (John and Bertha), and brothers (John and Joseph). She will be truly missed but always remembered and loved by her family and friends.