Edith Marie Milam

Edith Marie (Martin) Milam, a retired Mansfield ISO administrator, beloved mother, and grandmother born in Key West, Florida on October 8, 1944, and died February 13, 2024 in Mansfield, Texas.

Celebration of Life:1 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, at First Methodist Church Mansfield, 777 North Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield Texas 76063.
Family Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, Texas. Burial: Moore Memorial Gardens. Arlington Texas.

Edith, known as “Edie” by many friends and family, was a dedicated wife and mother who devoted herself to the Methodist church as a lifelong member, and to her profession as an educator for over 40 years. Her faith was very important to her. She especially enjoyed gardening in her spare time. Most of all she loved her family dearly and really liked cooking for them.

Edith was born in Key West, Florida in the midst of a hurricane to mother, Virginia Fern Martin, and father, Donald Leon Martin who were stationed there during WWII. After settling in Forth Worth, she attended Meadowbrook Elementary until second grade when her family moved to a farm in Dalworthington Gardens where she attended Johnson Station Elementary. Working on the farm instilled in her at an early age the value and pleasure found in working outdoors, especially as she learned how to plant, gather produce, milk cows, and drive a tractor. During this time she was a charter member of Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Arlington where she served as youth leader. As a young adult she served as the junior high Sunday school teacher, the youth leader, president of United Methodist Women, and was recognized as Church Woman of the Year.

Edith met her husband, “Charlie”, when she attended East Texas State University as an English and Elementary Education major. They married on April 30, 1966 and after living in Europe during military service, they returned to the states and had two well-loved sons, Todd and Ben. She and Charlie shared their lives for 42 years, with delightful family vacations at Port Aransas and other coastal towns until Charlie’s passing in 2007. Soon after, she enjoyed wonderful trips with her two sisters, other family members and close friends.

Edith attended and received diplomas from Arlington High School, ETSU, NTSU, and TWU. She began her 40+ years in education in Arlington ISD followed by 6 years at Pantego Christian Academy. Then she spent more than 25 years dedicated to her work in the Mansfield ISD. She served as a teacher, language arts curriculum coordinator, and vice principal. She was especially dedicated to meeting the needs of teachers and students at Glenn Harmon Elementary where she served as an administrator for over 20 years. While living in Mansfield she was a docent at Oliver Nature Park, a charter member of the Mansfield Women’s Club, and a member of the Wesley Class at First Methodist Mansfield. Edith retired from Mansfield ISD in 2012. This began a time of relaxation, gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family, especially her beloved sisters, June and Glenda, along with many friends and her wonderful neighbors. She dearly loved her two grandchildren, Matthew Weldon Milam and Charlie Marie Milam. Her time spent visiting, cooking, laughing and playing with them was forever precious to her.

Survivors: She is survived by her son, Todd, wife Christina, and grandson, Matthew; son Ben, wife Julie, and granddaughter, Charlie Marie: sister, Glenda Chambers; brother, Jim Martin and their extended families.

Memorials: Edith’s memory may be honored with a remembrance to the Methodist Children’s Home at 1111 Herring Ave., P.O. Box 5010, Waco TX 76708-9989, Common Ground Feed the Children at P.O. Box 1049, Mansfield TX 76063, or charity of choice.