Edna Crisp Warf
December 31, 1912 ~ January 4, 2002
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Edna Crisp Warf, 89, of 7 Harvard Place, Asheville, died Friday, January 4, 2002, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.
Mrs. Warf was born December 31, 1912, in Graham County to the late Jesse C. and Zenia Marcus Crisp. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Preston J. Warf, who died in 1988, and by her sisters, Edith, Vola and Janie and brothers Carey, Carl, Carney and Clay.
She graduated from Asheville Normal and Teachers College and retired from teaching in 1977 after 41 years. Her last 31 years were with the Buncombe County School System where she taught fourth grade at Johnston Elementary School.
She was a member of the National Education Association, North Carolina Association of Educators, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was a Past Worthy Matron of Esther Chapter No. 12, Order of the Easter Star. She was a past president of Fidelis Lambda Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators and an active volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Claxton Elementary School.
She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.
Survivors include a daughter Elaine Poovey, daughter and son-in-law Connie and Charles Cathey, all of Asheville; two granddaughters, Carla Cathey of Alexandria, VA and Carrie Cathey of Boone, NC; two sisters, Effie Edwards of Charlotte and Polly Fisher of Stecoah, NC, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Monday at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer with the Rev. Fr. Alex H. Hanks, the Rev. Dr. Perry Miller, and the Rev. Mr. Rudy J. Triana officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard, Fletcher.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority.
Her family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Saturday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Esther Chapter No. 12, in care of the Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801, or to the Asheville Normal and Teachers College Alumni Building and Maintenance Fund, in care of Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778.
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We were friends with Sister Edna through the Eastern Star. We are members of the Marion Chapter but will certainly miss seeing her when we visit in Asheville. She was such a pleasant person to talk to. Gayden had taught school for 31 years and they always had a mutual interest. We extend to her family our heartfelt condolence.
Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church of Asheville extends our loving sympathy to Edna’s daughter, Elaine Poovey, a long-time member of our church. As one of our choir members, Elaine has sung about the hope and promise of eternal life made known through our Savior Jesus Christ. May that good news now sustain you, Elaine, as you give thanks for your mother’s life! Thanks be to God who gives Edna ‘the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’
Perry Miller, Pastor
Charles and Connie: We are thinking of you in this time of sorrow. So good to have spent the time with your mother at the Rhododendron Ball in June 1998. We LOVE you! Furman and Kathy
She was a special teacher to me.
Sorry to learn of your mother’s death.
She was a very dear teacher to my son.
Elaine, Connie, Charles and
Children. Please know that
Ellen and I have you in our
thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Aunt
Edna was a wonderful lady and
we loved her very much.
To Mrs. Cathey and Family,
We are praying with you and for you during this time. We know that the children in your class will miss Mrs. Warf. DeOnna says that she loves Mrs. Warf and that Mrs. Warf was nice to her. Stephen remembers that Mrs. Warf would read with him and spend time with the class. He also says that Mrs. Warf was nice to him. As you can tell, she was special to our children.
The Blount Family
Connie, and Elaine
I am sorry about your Mother. She was a great lady.
Judy
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Warf. She was a dear,sweet lady. I have so many fond memories of her. I enjoyed working with her in Rainbow, Eastern Star, teacher functions and Alpha Delta Kappa. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Mrs. Warf was a wonderful lady and a great 4th grade teacher. I will never forget our trip to Old Fort on the train. My sincere prayers are with you girls in the lost of your mother. She was like a mother to us all.May God bless you and know she is in a better place .
Sincerely,
Brenda Sanders Jones
Johnston School Class of 1957
We remember Edna with fondness and offer our prayers.
My deepest sympathy to your family. Mrs. Warf was such a warm, welcoming person. Sunday lunches with her and your family are fond memories of my times in Asheville.
Having seen Edna a little over a week ago I was shocked when I read of her passing this morning. Lottie and I have many fond memories of her. She will be greatly missed.
Know that we are praying for you! And the Lord Be With You! She was a wonderful lady! God Bless You!
Our sympathy to the family members. Kermit and Mable Marcus ask me to express their regrets (and mine) that they/we could not come to the funeral home. We will really miss her, especially at decoration! Karen, Kermit & Mabel Marcus
Wallace & Joyce Jenkins and family send their sympathy to Edna’s family. She was a wonderful teacher and true ‘mountain woman’. We always enjoyed seeing her when she visitied her sister Polly. She truly loved Stecoah and will be greatly missed.
Elaine and Cathy,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Your mom was a great inspiration to all she met. I will always remember her warm and loving smile and her compassion for all people. Her memory will live on through her wonderful daughters. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Debbie Bryant
Dear Elaine and Connie,
I’m so sorry that I was unable to attend Edna’s funeral today due to a terrible chest cold.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you have such a wintry day to bury your beloved mother.
I hope you received my other note in the e-mail memorial guestbook that I wrote yesterday (Saturday).
With love and sympathy,
Judy
Dear family ,
My name is Susan Price, I work at Cancer Care of WNC. Mrs. Edna was a wonderful person. I enjoyed taking care of her. Many prayers to the family. Much Love Susan
My sincere sympathy in the loss of Mrs. Warf. I have heard so many wonderful things about her from my daughter Jeanne at Claxton. I am thinking about all of you. Sincerely, Barbara Crisp
DEAR EDNA,
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS AS THE MOST REMARKABLE LADY WE HAVE EVER SEEN.
MY FAMILY AND I ARE THE MOST GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT HE GAVE US THE OPORTUNITY TO MEET YOU. YOU HAD US AS YOUR FAMILY AND WE HAD YOU AS OUR GRAND MA.
SEMA, MAHMUT AND SELIN TALAY
Elaine, Connie and family, I am surely shocked as were my folks at the news of Edna’s passing. I extend our love and prayers in your behalf and know by experience that God will comfort and strengthen you during your times of need today and as you grieve in the coming days. Dale & Judy
Hello Mrs. Cathy and Mrs. Poovey,
We are so sorry to hear about your Mother and are sending our sincere condolences. Just this Sunday our family was reminiscing about how much our kids enjoyed elementary school, what great teachers they had, including the two of you. Sounds like your Mother was that kind of teacher as well.
We send our love.
Sincerely, Mike, Joy, Sophie & Leah
I am the step son/son of Father Hugh and Judy Edsall. I remember Mrs. Warf as a kind and caring women. She and Mr. Warf had our family over for Sunday dinner on several occasions (back in the early 70’s) and I remember them both as being good and giving poeple.
Dear Elaine and Connie,
May you be comforted by recalling the wonderful years with your Mother, and by the knowledge of her impact on others.
I first met your Mother through the two of your and the Rainbow Girls. (Was that really in the late 50s?) My initial impression of her was that she was a deeply caring woman. My second recollection is that she was immensely proud of each of you. Each of you has followed her example of compassion and excellence. What more could a mother have wanted!
It is with joy that I celebrate her life today. She made a difference in so many people’s lives.
Love,
Ellie
Our deepest sympathy to Elaine, Connie, Charles, Carrie & Carla.
Our memories of Edna are of a warm, caring, head of a lovely family who welcomed us into her home as part of her extended family. We know she will be remembered with love and we too have very fond memories of hearty meals and exciting games of cards and especially our last visit to her on Sugar Mountain.
My fourth grade teacher. A fine lady whom I’ve always remembered with greatest regard. I’ll never forget our class trip to Old Fort on the train (and that was a long time ago).