Shirley Ann Edmondson, 84, died on Monday, May 11, 2009, in Halfway, Ore., at her home with all her family around her after a long fight with cancer. A traditional graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, 2 p.m. at Pine Haven Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to be held at the V.F.W. hall immediately following the interment.
Shirley was born on April 28, 1925, at Bear, Idaho. to Jesse Frank Smith and Mary Ann Cornett Smith as the youngest of 4 children. Shirley grew up and attended elementary school in Bear, Idaho, and graduated high school at 15 in Weiser, Idaho. She married Gene Hollie Edmondson on September 21, 1942 in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. They had two sons, William H. Edmondson and Terry G. Edmondson. She and her family lived at Bear for several years after they were married. They moved to Patterson, Idaho where Gene worked in the mines for 4 years then returning to Bear where the boys went to school for 2 years before moving to Snake River where Shirley worked in the grocery store and post office at Homestead. She and Gene moved to Halfway in 1965 where she also worked in the post office, later becoming post master at Oxbow, retiring in 1987.
Shirley was known to many for her historical knowledge of the Hells Canyon and its many colorful inhabitants. She was a woman of many talents. She was known for all of the beautiful flowers she grew and many prizes were won at the county fairs. She painted lovely pictures of wildlife and flowers for the enjoyment of her friends and family. Her favorite pets were cats and she could always find them at her back door.
Shirley was a creative writer. Her letters and historical accounts formed a lasting legacy for her family. she was a lifetime member of Eastern Star and the local chapter of the Ladies Auxiliary #7847 of the V.F.W.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gene in 1980 and her oldest son William in 1996. Brothers Frank Jesse Smith, Hugh Samual Smith and a sister Laura Jean Bowman.
Shirley is survived by her sister Ruth McGinness of Oxbow, son Terry of Ontario, Ore.; grandchildren Christopher, Belind and Terry Jr. of the Boise, Ida. area; 8 great grandchildren that will miss her deeply. She will also be greatly missed by special friend and companion John Wright Sr. of Halfway. Thank you John.
Those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Shirley may do so to the V.F.W. Auxiliary through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, Ore. 97834.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, May 14, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor