Edna Palmer Chase

Edna Palmer Chase, 93, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023.With the passing of Ms. Edna humanity has bid farewell to a true friend, neighbor and asset to any community. Starting life over 93 years ago in November 6, 1929, Edna was a child destined to be a leader, a clear and common sense thinking and a benefit to all around her. Early childhood was a life more patterned after Cinderella than after the princess that she was. She endured her mother’s transitional relationships and other hardships that you read about in books. She literally, much like the fairy tale, was left hand-me-downs while her sister and steps enjoyed new. She did the cleaning for everyone at an early age to which she credits her amazing work ethic which, later in life, served her very well. The family was regularly changing domiciles and yet Edna, somehow, was able to preserve a painting that she loved from her childhood which hangs in her apartment today. It is a painting of a German Castle which for her, was a dream she wanted to achieve. The family had a piano and Edna expressed interest in learning to play it. Instead, she was rebuffed by her mother who promptly turned the piano to firewood. She maintained that aspiration her entire life and when, during her first marriage with Frank, she expressed that desire again. Instead, he told her to take over the accordion lessons he had paid for which she did. She EXCELLED! She did so well that her group was invited to Carnegie Hall and yet again, in another brutal turn of events, she was not allowed to go because her accordion was of a lesser value and was not considered “acceptable” for that environment. With all of the restrictions placed upon her, Edna still rose to the top like the Cream of Humanity she is. She started baking (she loved to cook) and making wedding cakes which turned into a 15 year Catering Service which she ran with 15 employees for 15 years. Tiring from that, she then worked in injury where, yet again, she rose up into Supervision and then management. She became the shift manager managing several hundred people until she was severely injured which injury plagued her the rest of her life. If that was not enough for one person to accomplish, she also took up Oil Painting and became an accomplished artist painting scenes and things that brought her joy and reminded her of favorite places she had been to. Her and Frank bought a cozy home in Rocky Mount, NC at retirement and there they lived. He passed during that time and in the late 90’s she married again. Mr. Wayne Chase came into her life and they enjoyed many good times together. She loved to travel, to cook, to entertain and to visit friends. She gardened and had a deep understanding of gardening and horticulture. She was an advocate for animal care and appreciation. She created a wonderful home that was inviting and warm. The back and front yards became a veritable Garden of Eden. She worked out of her Greenhouse in the backyard and enjoyed creating. Though her life began as a “Cinderella”, through her life, by sheer will and effort on her part, she ended it as the “Princess” that she craved to be. Edna will always be remembered for her kindness and compassion for people and her animals. She was no nonsense yet understanding, often withholding judgement when others had already administered labels. She was very quick-witted yet never cutting in a mean way, rather thoughtful and pointed yet harmless at the same time. I will miss her dearly. A graveside service will be held Friday, February 3, 2023 at 10:00am with Pastor Rob Weslend officiating at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

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Edna Palmer Chase

November 6, 1929 - January 22, 2023