Edith B. Early

Edith B. Early, 100, of Lancaster, passed away Thursday, October 11, 2024, at Homestead Village. She was the loving wife of William F. Early, who predeceased her. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late William T. and Martha B. Black. While attending high school in Lynchburg, she won a state-wide Latin tournament and received a scholarship to Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, as it was then called. She was torn between majoring in Latin or Chemistry. She settled on the latter and considered that decision a significant turning point in her life. Upon graduation, she was hired as a chemist by Armstrong World Industries’ Floor Research Division in 1945 and moved to Lancaster. She joined First Presbyterian Church and continued as a member there for the rest of her life. As a member of the church choir, she met her future husband, who had recently returned from World War II in Italy to resume his job at Armstrong.

As a young homemaker, she found many outlets for her creativity. She took watercolor classes, arranged flowers from her garden, made most of her clothes and other household items, and knitted sweaters that lasted for generations. A devout Christian, she extensively read books from various theologians as well as volunteered at church in various roles, including teaching Sunday School and serving as a trustee and on hiring committees. She was a leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts when her children were young, and she was a lifetime member of Lancaster’s League of Women Voters, serving for a time as treasurer. Home organization and time management were keen interests of hers, and she left behind many books and systems of containers, labels and 3”x 5” cards that attest to it.

She is survived by son William Jr. of Lancaster; daughter Martha Early, wife of George Wallace of Lancaster; and daughter Caroline Early of Silver Spring, MD; 7 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters MaryJane Hobbs and Martha Strader, both of Lynchburg, VA. She was predeceased by brother William T. Black, Jr. A Memorial Service will be held October 22nd, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, 140 E. Orange St. Lancaster, PA 17602 at 11:00 am. Friends may greet the family at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Interment will be private.  To view the service virtually, please click the follwoing link:  https://my.gather.app/remember/edith-early

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Endowment Fund or to the Demuth Foundation at 120 East King St. Lancaster, PA 17602.