Edith Colburn Scott, 86, of Emmett, Idaho, died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at her home of natural causes.
Edith Grace Colburn was born Dec. 29, 1912, at Harvard, Nebraska, a daughter of Helena Betsy Johnson and Earl George Colburn. She moved to Emmett with her family in 1924, where she attended and graduated from Emmett schools. On Nov. 30, 1929, she married Leslie John Scott. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 9, 1930. They made their home in the Emmett Valley. They were the parents of four children: Glen Colburn; Kristin Ann (Neal) Draper of Sacramento, CA; Eileen Sue (David) Russell of Salt Lake city, UT; and Renae Beth. Edith and Leslie have seven grandchildren: Scott (Suzanne) Draper, Stephanie (Cameron) Pedersen, Matthew Draper, Tiffany Russell Sager, Craig (Julie) Russell, Jeffrey (Leslie) Russell and Ryan Russell. They have five great-grandchildren: Samantha Sager, Jessica and Megan Russell, McKenzie and Dylan Draper. She is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Kern of Kalispell, MT.Edith and Leslie owned and operated Scott's Appliances and Furniture since 1942. After Leslie's death in 1965, Edith continued to operate the store until her retirement in 1982. Edith was very active in the community and served in the following organizations: president of the Emmett PTA, Girl Scout executive in the Gem area, a member of the Business and Professional Women of Emmett. She was honored as an Outstanding Business Woman. She was very active in the LDS Church and served in many capacities in the ward and stake organizations.
Edith was the editor and publisher of several histories. In 1959, she published the "Settling of Emmett Valley and History of the Emmett LDS Wards". She hand finished 2500 photographs for 250 books. The proceeds from these books were donated to the Emmett LDS Wards to add a new bank of soft stops for the pipe organ at the Church. She has also published an extensive two-volume book titled the "History and Descendants of Jacob and John Scott." She was an avid genealogist and historian and was in the process of writing two more family histories of the Colburns and Johnsons.
Her interest in her community has produced four volumes of "Obituaries of Emmett Valley" which date from 1893. Edith was also a very talented writer. She wrote and directed several plays at the Emmett LDS Wards. She wrote many anecdotes that celebrated weddings and special events in the lives of family and friends.
Edith loved to sew, crochet, paint and write. She has made many clothes for her children and grandchildren including the wedding gowns for her daughters. She has made many appliqued and intricate quilts and beautiful needlepoint for her children and grandchildren. She loved music and played the piano and organ. She was the chorister for many years in various organizations of the Church. She encouraged her daughters to excel in music by taking lessons herself and practising with them early mornings before school.
Edith was compassionate and always looked for the opportunity to help other people. She never hesitated to use her time, talents and energy to meet the needs of others. She unselfishly devoted her life to her family, including the continual care of her 59-year-old handicapped son.
She was preceded in death by Leslie in 1965, her daughter Renae in 1978, a brother Ralph Colburn, and her parents.
Of all she valued in life the greatest was the title of "Mother".
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Wed., March 31, 1999, at the Emmett Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1001 East Second Street with Bishop Doug Honn conducting. Friends may call at Potter Funeral Chapel Tuesday. Interment will follow at the Emmett City Cemetery.
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