Betsy Jordan Edgar, 94, of Lewisburg, formerly of Hillsboro, passed on to her heavenly home Saturday, February 20, 2016, at Peyton Hospice House in Lewisburg after a long illness she called “old age.”
Born June 25, 1921, in Marlinton, she was the youngest daughter of the late Robert Samuel Jordan and Flora May Moore. She was a descendent of Pocahontas County pioneer Moses Moore.
Betsy graduated from Marlinton High School and Capitol City Commercial College in Charleston.
Betsy was a member of the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro where the Edgar family had worshiped for many generations. Betsy had many hobbies, and she loved a good auction sale, and her home was beautifully appointed with antiques she had personally refinished. She loved her pets and was passionate to save the lives of many little baby lambs born at the farm but orphaned at birth, working tirelessly for days to nurse and restore them to the herd.
She married Thomas Callison Edgar, and the couple farmed the Edgar home place in Hillsboro. Tom served in the House of Delegates. At his death in 1972, Betsy was appointed by the governor to fill the remainder of his term.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband; and a granddaughter, Emily Edgar Niske.
She is survived by her son, George Thomas “GT” Edgar, and wife, Mary Lou Dunbrack Edgar, of Chester, Virginia; her daughter, Martha Irene “Marty” Edgar Ness, and husband, Bob, of Augusta, Georgia; grandchildren, GT’s daughter, Laura Ann Edgar Burdette, and husband, Rodney, of Suffolk, Virginia, Marty’s children, Christopher Glenn Edgar Niske, of Columbia, South Carolina, and Rachel Irene Edgar Niske Junod, and husband, Adam; great-grandchildren, Maddison Leigh Edgar, Mary Caitlin Edgar and Owen Thomas Edgar Burdette, of Suffolk, Virginia, and Isaac Leo, of Augusta, Georgia; step-grand- children-and-great-grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Ness Haney, and husband, Craig, of Atlanta, Georgia, and son, Jackson Samuel; Heidi Munro Ness Ives and husband, Austin, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and their children, Emily and Kathryn; David Alexander Ness, and wife, Megan, of Denver, Colorado, and their children, Addison, Bridger and Bennett; Mary Kathryn “Katie” Ness Murrey, and husband, Joseph, of Morehead, Minnesota.
Betsy was always very close to her siblings, and their children, therefore building a large network of family that she cherished and corresponded with, sharing family events. Her brother and sisters included a brother, Robert Samuel Jordan, II, and his wife, Hazel (deceased); their son, Robert Samuel, III, and his wife, Joanne, of Baltimore, Maryland; their children, Robert IV, Gregory, Judith, and William, also of Baltimore; a sister, Ruth Rachel Jordan Messeck, and her husband, Ralph (deceased); their son, Carl Roy Messeck, and wife, Carol, of Herndon, Virginia; a sister, Iva Irene Jordan Dowden, and husband, Edward (deceased); their children, David Edward Dowden, and his wife, Jean, of Rochester, New York, and Thomas Burt Dowden, and wife, Gloria, of Dublin, Ohio, and their sons, Ian and John Dowden, of Dublin; and sons, Stephen and George Dowden (deceased); a sister, Mary Pauline “Polly” Jordan Dilly, and her husband, Floyd, (deceased) and their daughter, Yvonne Sue, (deceased); a half-sister, Goldie Jordan Eggers, (deceased); her daughter, Marilyn, and husband, Acie (deceased).
Betsy has many cousins, nieces and nephews who have continued a close relationship. It is remarkable that a person at the age of 94 could have so many close relatives and friends that were “there” for her.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life to honor Betsy Jordan Edgar will be held Saturday, February 27, 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, with Rev. Andy Rice officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, PO Box 17, Hillsboro, West Virginia, 24946.
