Edith G. (Grayson) Becker

Edith G. Becker, nee Grayson, of Steelville, Missouri was born to the union of Orville S. Grayson and Alta Belle (Snow) Grayson on October 28, 1919 and passed away Friday, May 25, 2018 at the Steelville Senior Living Center at the age of 98 years, 6 months and 7 days.

On December 9, 1939 Edith and Chester S. Becker were united in marriage at the Presbyterian Parsonage, the Rev. Samuel Roper officiating. They were attended by Theresa Cape Schwieder and Stafford Grayson. To their union four children were born.

Edith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Steelville for 86 years. Her 5th grade teacher, Lucille Perkins invited her to church when she was 12 years old. She served her church faithfully on the Session and was a member of the Philathean Circle. 

In 1954 Edith began employment with the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service, an outreach of the University of Missouri. In her 10th year of service she was promoted as the first female office manager in the state of Missouri. 

She loved to travel and along with her childhood friend, Roberta Kehner McDaniel, she toured Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, England, Scotland and Ireland. She and Roberta along with Bill and Jenny Donnelson saw every capital in the continental United States. She cruised to Alaska, and in her own way proclaimed she had no desire to see Hawaii. 

Seldom in life do little girls remain friends forever. Edith treasured those childhood friends. They called themselves “the Birthday Girls” and they eagerly celebrated each one’s birthday every year. They are all together again, Theresa Schwieder, Wilma Earls, Eileen Cape, Irene Eaton, and yes Edith. We’resure they’re having the best time. 

She was the best “cooker” her grandson Jeff proclaimed, and she was. Ed Schwieder always said, “if Colonel Sanders could fry chicken like this he’d be a 5-Star General.” Christmas brought a special cookie recipe for each of us and jelly for the Schwieder kids. She decided to share her favorite recipes with her friends and family. In her own handwriting she wrote out 200 recipes and asked her son Edward to make the copies for 30 books to give as Christmas gifts. Over the years we’ve recopied and handed out some 200 cookbooks of “Edith’s Favorite Recipes”. 

Most of all she was our Mom. She always took care to do the best for us. Our birthdays were uniquely special and in all our years we have never missed a Christmas together. We will miss her greatly.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Chester, her parents Orville and Alta Grayson, her brothers Stafford (Jean) and Calvin (Lillian), her brothers-in-law Bill Welch, and Edward (Hildred) Becker and great grandson Craig Schmidt, and her lifelong friends Roberta McDaniel, Theresa Schwieder, Wilma Earls, Eileen Cape, and Irene Eaton.

Edith will be sadly missed by her three sons, Mike Becker of Steelville, MO, Hunter (Bev) Becker and Edward Becker both of Pacific, MO; one daughter, Linda Spurgeon and husband Michael of Steelville, MO; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey (Shelia) Becke, Jane Shasserre, Jerry (Katie) Becker, Hank Shasserre, Lindy (Robert) Spurgeon-Graves, Ryan (Melissa) Spurgeon and Lora Spurgeon; eleven great-grandchildren, Jacob (Sarah) Becker, Lane Becker, Fritz Mills, Jessie Becker, Hannah Shasserre, Hadlee Becker, Sami Becker, Rylee Spurgeon, Kayla Surgeon, Alex (Kelsey) Pagan and Zachary Wolfe; three great-great-grandchildren, Rhett Becker, Lillian Pagan and Owen Pagan; one sister, Patricia Welch of Springfield, MO; other relatives and many friends.

The Family received friends from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at the Steelville Presbyterian Church in Steelville, MO with Rev. Wendy Downing officiating. Special music of "The Church's One Foundation" was sung by all. Other music of "In the Garden", "Precious Memories", "Just as I Am" and "Softy and Tenderly" was sung by Rev. Jerry Beers. Prelude and postlude were played by Mrs. Deloris Bell. Memories were shared by family friends, Mark Schwieder and Sally Starzyck and two of Edith's granddaughters, Jane Shasserre and Lindy Spurgeon-Graves.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

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