Edythe Alice (Hamm) Walston

Edythe Alice Walston, age 85, of Collinsville, passed away at 6:12am on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Marshall-Browning Hospital due to complications of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. 

Edythe was born in Desloge, Missouri on September 10, 1935, the daughter of Joseph Henry and Lena Marguerite (Hart) Hamm.

She is survived by her loving children-

     Son- Randall Short of Collinsville

     Daughter- Vicki Short and companion Jess Grant of Carbondale

A host of extended family and friends

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son- Stephen.

Edythe graduated from Desloge High School and later Southwestern Illinois College, then headed to the St. Louis Metro area for work in administrative services.  She spent the majority of her career in administrative services for the Chairman of the Board of Peabody Coal Company whose headquarters were in St. Louis, Missouri. After retiring from Peabody Coal, Edythe began a second career at BJC in St. Louis specializing in Laboratory Administration. She officially retired in 2005.

Retirement gave Edythe the time to explore her many hobbies. She cherished the time spent with her children, extended family and friends. She enjoyed sampling different cuisines and visiting many local restaurants with her son, Randy. Edythe loved traveling and touring numerous state capitols with her daughter, Vicki.  The highlight of her travels of many years was a trip to San Francisco, California.

Edythe was a member of the Volunteer Auxiliary at Oliver Anderson Hospital in Maryville as well as Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. 

One of her great passions, was taking care of her kitty cats and volunteering for local pet rescue and adoption organizations. In 2012, she and her daughter were featured in the Edwardsville Intelligencer and adopted two special cats, Ivy and Precious. Edythe always had a special place in her heart for animals with health conditions who were not likely to find a forever home. Thanks to Edythe, Ivy and Precious found their forever home with Edythe.

In her spare time, Edythe loved working on vegetable and flower gardens. Every spring and winter she would hang her bird feeders and had a fond interest in hummingbirds. A fan of HGTV, Edythe also enjoyed home design. She was a true “wordsmith” and started a 70-year long hobby with Crossword Puzzles and Scrabble. Her crossword puzzle expertise started when she was in 6th grade. She was an avid reader and never missed reading local papers. She also followed politics closely.

Edythe loved cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues, attending games with family and friends.  She was full of life and will be missed by all those that knew and loved her.

Her late son, Stephen, was a talented painter, whom Edythe always supported in his art career. She was committed to the arts and supported the Botanical Gardens, St. Louis Art Museum, and many other local artists, painters, and sculptors.

Recently, as Edythe was trying to remain healthy during this challenging year, Tina Carpenter, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carbondale, kindly developed an interest in Edythe’s journey along with the students who started a service project highlighting Edythe and her hobbies and interests. The students heard about Edythe’s interest in art and design and crafted unique, one of a kind art work to share with her while in the nursing home, along with letters and cards.

Celebration of life services to celebrate Edythe’s life will be held at a later date. Maxton-Rosado Funeral Home in Du Quoin is assisting the family with final arrangements.

In memoriam, the family is asking in lieu of flowers or cards, please consider a charitable gift to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carbondale. Envelopes may be mailed to:

Tina Carpenter, CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Carbondale

(In Memory of Edythe A. Walston)

250 N Springer Street

P.O. Box 3092

Carbondale, IL 62902

Website: www.bgcsi.org

For more information, please call 618-542-2020 or to sign the online guest registry, please visit www.maxtonrosado.com. 

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