Edna Tesh Yost departed this world at her home on February 7, after fighting cancer for a short time with wonderful nursing care from Hospice and her family. 

Her daughter, Lisa, predeceased her at age 46 in 2007, also with cancer. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, Fred, her beloved husband for 64 years, a son, Eric, and his partner Salvador Benavides, granddaughter, Olivia Gingco, sister-in-law, Sandra Patterson, and cousin, Linda Klane.

Edna was born on December 3, 1937 in Mt Airy, North Carolina, also the home of Andy Griffith, who knew her family. At age two the family moved to Washington, DC, where Edna graduated from high school. In 1956 she attended Radford college where she met and dated Fred who was also a freshman student at VPI. It was love at first sight that lasted 64 beautiful years with them still holding hands at the very end “til death do us part.

On a cold December day in 1958, after Fred delivered mail until 5 PM, they were married in Takoma Park, Maryland and headed the next day to Blacksburg, Va. to resume Fred’s last two years of college at VPI. After graduation they lived 39 years in Roanoke where Edna became a beloved teacher in kindergarten and 1st grade at North Cross School, retiring with beautiful accolades from students and parents. After retiring it was off to Chesapeake, Va, in 1999 to be near Lisa and Olivia.

Edna will long be remembered for being so beautiful inside and out with so many gifts she shared in her life. To name a few: A gifted artist and school teacher, an inspirational letter writer with just the right words no matter the occasion, a home she always wanted to keep beautiful for Fred. A true loving friend who wanted to know and give you her undivided attention.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on February 17, at New Creation United Methodist Church, 4320 Bruce Rd., Chesapeake, Va. 23321.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Doctors Without Borders, who continue to do so much good all over the world.