Hi everyone!
I am finally back from our whirlwind, but oh-so-fun European vacation with Matt. We had the best time. But, before I post all about that, I wanted to take time to say a few words about my Granddaddy Ed Easter who passed away on July 1st at 93 years old. He was an amazing man who led a grand life. I was at the airport when I got the call and was in Florence the day of his funeral. I knew what was coming before I left and knew I was going to miss his funeral, but was still quite sad to miss the gathering of family and friends at his service. I did write some words that were read. I'll share them here with you:
Stories
What a treat it was to go and stay at my grandparent’s house
in Asheville, on Baird Lane, where the remnants of my mom’s happy childhood
lingered. Getting to go up the mountain
to see Granddaddy and Grandmommy were highlights of my childhood. Our visits were about having fun, being
silly, spending time together, sharing music, and telling stories. Some of my earliest memories with Granddaddy
are going to the Pack Library and checking out a big stack of new books to
read. We would drive home in his huge
Buick and stop at The Hop to get an ice cream cone. Perhaps my favorite memory of all was sitting
and reading with him. He, being the
actor he was, would make the best
voices for all of the characters. I
would giggle and fall in love with the book because of his dramatic
readings. I know I did this because he
made tapes of himself reading to me so that I could have special stories to listen
to even when we weren’t together. I
would play those tapes over and over again, a lot of times as I fell asleep,
just reveling in his voice and the love that emanated from him to me. Years later, as a teacher, I try to copy his
dramatic and carefully crafted style of reading stories to students, hoping they
will feel the same joy and love that I felt when Granddaddy read to me.
Not only did Granddaddy read stories, but he looooved to tell
stories about his own life. It’s so fun
and special to know about who he was when he was “E.H.”, the young
prankster. I loved hearing him tell the
story about walking home from the picture show through the cemetery and scaring
the daylights out of Parks; his story about feigning sickness to try to stay
home from school, but getting a spoonful of castor oil instead; or hearing him
talk about going to his grandparents’ farm. I loved hearing about his war stories. I did a project in 5th grade on
the history of our family during World War II and he featured prominently,
making him and me proud. In college, I
did an oral history project in which I recorded his memories of and experiences
with race relations in the 50s and 60s.
Later on, when he started to lose his memories, I gathered all of the
pictures of him during his Oklahoma! and
New York years and created a scrapbook so that he could see and remember all of
his stories. Throughout all of those
projects and the stories I heard about him, I learned a lot about the character
of my Granddaddy: he was kind…adventurous…fun…brave…loving…passionate…devoted…a
man of faith…and always a prankster. I
think a lot of people my age don’t know as much about their grandparents as I
do and I feel really honored to have really known
him and what he stood for.
One of his most special and important stories isn’t one that
he told, per se, but one that he showed.
His love story with Grandmommy is one for the ages. From their first meeting to now, those two
have been such a wonderful example of love and dedication; respect and
trust. I’ve seen it in how they care for
one another, I’ve heard it in their teasing jokes and caring comments, I‘ve
felt it being in their home and in their arms.
It’s a story of love that I want to emulate and hope I do. Shoot, Matt and I have already moved to New
York like them, so that’s got to count for something!
Granddaddy’s story is etched upon my life in indelible ways and
he has helped make me who I am. I want
to express my love for him, and say my eternal thanks for being a remarkable
and irreplaceable role model. I’m sure,
in his humble way, he would say, “Think nothing of it.”
~
His obituary further explains what an amazing life he led and why he is so loved and will be missed so much.
Edwin Easter passed away at Givens Estates in Asheville on July 1, 2015, after 93 years of a life well lived.
Ed Easter was the sixth of seven children born to Early Hamilton Easter and Dora Parks Easter. He was born in Lexington, NC on March 3, 1922 and grew up there. He developed interests in music, tennis, travel, reading, politics and history, which he enjoyed throughout his life. He left college at UNC-Chapel Hill to volunteer to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. During the war, he was trained as a forward artillery spotter, then was chosen to work in the HQ Corps moving from England through France and Germany. He served with distinction from 1942-1945, and was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. He frequently entertained the troops with his singing talent and organized plays and variety shows to keep morale high. After the war, he returned to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned a dual degree in Music and Radio, Television and Motion Pictures. As a member of the UNC Men's Glee Club and the Carolina Playmakers, Ed studied drama with Paul Green and acted alongside Andy Griffith and other well-known actors. After college, Edwin moved to New York to study drama and singing at the Actors Guild. He was a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertory Company, and in 1950, won a role in the original Broadway touring production of "Oklahoma." Edwin returned to Lexington to sing for a friend's wedding, where he met the organist Ruth Hill. After a long-distance romance, they were married a year later, and returned to New York.
Ed and Ruth moved back to North Carolina to raise their family, eventually making Asheville their home for the rest of their lives. In 1959, he became the Director of Music Ministries of Central United Methodist Church, where he worked for the next 25 years. He and Ruth worked and performed together, both in the church and throughout NC and beyond. He formed and directed seven choirs, including children's, youth, adult and handbell choirs, which produced a generation of outstanding musicians. Edwin also was the musical director for Asheville Community Theater, Tanglewood Children's Theater, and UNC-Asheville Theater, directing dozens of shows and helping performers of all ages shine on stage. He staged many musicals at Central UMC as well, involving hundreds of church members. He taught private voice lessons to many in the community, including Teena Windham, Miss North Carolina 1964, and Bellamy Young, now an award-winning Broadway and TV actress.
Edwin Easter's tenor voice was well-known. He began singing solos as a child. His singing was so inspiring and thrilling that he was asked to perform in concerts and at churches throughout the country, and for a United States President. However, more than his music, it is his enthusiasm for life, his joyful smile, his constant humor, his sense of adventure, his deep and abiding faith, his compassion and quiet generosity toward those in need, his friendship with people of all races and economic levels, his encouragement of and investment in others, and his great love for his family and friends that will be most missed. He invested his time, talent, and love in building up others and bringing out the best in them.
Edwin was a member of Central UMC for 56 years. He was predeceased by his parents and his five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Hill Easter, his son, Edwin Harold (Hal) Easter Jr. and wife Sharon of Fort Worth, Texas; his daughter, Rev. Karen Easter Bayne and husband Nick of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren, Nicole Walling (Blaine) of Sherman, TX, Michelle Easter of Fort Worth, TX, Anna Sink (Matt) of NYC, and Graham DeLoach of Asheville; great-granddaughter Kennedy Walling; his sister-in-law Virginia Easter of Lexington; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Asheville on Sunday, July 12, at 3:00, with Rev. Dr. Robert Blackburn and Rev. Ed Hillman officiating. Visitation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Special thanks to the staff of Givens Estates for their excellent care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the Residents Fund of Givens Estates, 100 Wesley Dr., Asheville, NC 28803, or to the Music Fund of Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801. All can best honor Edwin Easter Sr. by adding joy to the world and encouraging others. He will be deeply missed and loved forever.
Ed Easter was the sixth of seven children born to Early Hamilton Easter and Dora Parks Easter. He was born in Lexington, NC on March 3, 1922 and grew up there. He developed interests in music, tennis, travel, reading, politics and history, which he enjoyed throughout his life. He left college at UNC-Chapel Hill to volunteer to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. During the war, he was trained as a forward artillery spotter, then was chosen to work in the HQ Corps moving from England through France and Germany. He served with distinction from 1942-1945, and was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. He frequently entertained the troops with his singing talent and organized plays and variety shows to keep morale high. After the war, he returned to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned a dual degree in Music and Radio, Television and Motion Pictures. As a member of the UNC Men's Glee Club and the Carolina Playmakers, Ed studied drama with Paul Green and acted alongside Andy Griffith and other well-known actors. After college, Edwin moved to New York to study drama and singing at the Actors Guild. He was a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertory Company, and in 1950, won a role in the original Broadway touring production of "Oklahoma." Edwin returned to Lexington to sing for a friend's wedding, where he met the organist Ruth Hill. After a long-distance romance, they were married a year later, and returned to New York.
Ed and Ruth moved back to North Carolina to raise their family, eventually making Asheville their home for the rest of their lives. In 1959, he became the Director of Music Ministries of Central United Methodist Church, where he worked for the next 25 years. He and Ruth worked and performed together, both in the church and throughout NC and beyond. He formed and directed seven choirs, including children's, youth, adult and handbell choirs, which produced a generation of outstanding musicians. Edwin also was the musical director for Asheville Community Theater, Tanglewood Children's Theater, and UNC-Asheville Theater, directing dozens of shows and helping performers of all ages shine on stage. He staged many musicals at Central UMC as well, involving hundreds of church members. He taught private voice lessons to many in the community, including Teena Windham, Miss North Carolina 1964, and Bellamy Young, now an award-winning Broadway and TV actress.
Edwin Easter's tenor voice was well-known. He began singing solos as a child. His singing was so inspiring and thrilling that he was asked to perform in concerts and at churches throughout the country, and for a United States President. However, more than his music, it is his enthusiasm for life, his joyful smile, his constant humor, his sense of adventure, his deep and abiding faith, his compassion and quiet generosity toward those in need, his friendship with people of all races and economic levels, his encouragement of and investment in others, and his great love for his family and friends that will be most missed. He invested his time, talent, and love in building up others and bringing out the best in them.
Edwin was a member of Central UMC for 56 years. He was predeceased by his parents and his five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Hill Easter, his son, Edwin Harold (Hal) Easter Jr. and wife Sharon of Fort Worth, Texas; his daughter, Rev. Karen Easter Bayne and husband Nick of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren, Nicole Walling (Blaine) of Sherman, TX, Michelle Easter of Fort Worth, TX, Anna Sink (Matt) of NYC, and Graham DeLoach of Asheville; great-granddaughter Kennedy Walling; his sister-in-law Virginia Easter of Lexington; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Asheville on Sunday, July 12, at 3:00, with Rev. Dr. Robert Blackburn and Rev. Ed Hillman officiating. Visitation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Special thanks to the staff of Givens Estates for their excellent care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the Residents Fund of Givens Estates, 100 Wesley Dr., Asheville, NC 28803, or to the Music Fund of Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801. All can best honor Edwin Easter Sr. by adding joy to the world and encouraging others. He will be deeply missed and loved forever.
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