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Edith Marie Gentry Cole

May 21, 1930–February 7, 2021

Edith Marie Gentry Cole, a lifelong resident of Pomeroy, Wash., passed away peacefully at the home of her son, Gary Cole, on Sunday, February 7, 2021.

Edith was born May 21, 1930, the only child of Aquilla and Myrtle McMillan Gentry, at the Gentry farm home in Pomeroy, Wash. She lived in that home her entire life and graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1948. Her father died in 1941 when she was only 11 years old. Since her mother never drove, Edith was given a permit to drive when she was 13. She drove her mother to town to sell eggs and cream weekly. Edith assisted with the farm chores of milking cows, and feeding and butchering chickens. She recalled they had very little money then, and was given eleven cents as her birthday gift.

Edith attended the State College of Washington one year, studying home economics before marrying Clarence Cole November 6, 1949. They began farming the Gentry land and Myrtle moved into town.

She was a 4-H leader for cooking and sewing. During the '60s and '70s, neighboring farms were purchased and Pataha Creek Farms Inc. was formed. Clarence lost his life in a farming accident in 1985. Edith continued to manage running the farming operation. She fed the harvest crew for 65 years, providing two big meals a day. She raised a big vegetable garden and in later years became interested in growing chrysanthemums. She became a National Chrysanthemum Judge and an all-around Flower Judge, traveling to many area fairs and flower shows as well as National Mum shows.

Edith and Clarence seldom took time away from the farm for pleasure, but they enjoyed the beauty of Hawaii while celebrating their 25th anniversary. Edith also traveled to Ireland with friends and the East Coast a few times to visit her mother's family.

Through the years she was a member of many organizations. She served as President of both Garfield County Pioneer Association and Pomeroy High School Alumni Association, at which time the group authored the book, "Century Farms of Garfield County, in 1989.

During the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial she gave talks to school and organizations giving the "true story" of Sacajawea, wearing a deerskin dress. In 1805 that expedition camped on what became her property.

In 2012 she received the Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for her community activities and service. Daughters of the American Revolution selected her for the "Women of History" award for her years of work with historical activities.

Edith holds current memberships with Pomeroy United Methodist Church, Daughters of the Pioneers, F.N. Chapter P.E.O., Garfield County Historical Society, Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum, Daughters of the American Revolution, Hi-Lo Chrysanthemum Society and All Seasons Garden Club.

Her greatest joy was her family, which includes Suzanne Grove, Gary (Janice) Cole, granddaughters Nicole Maltby and partner Jeremy Nagowski, and Kristen Maltby (Mike) Hughes, great-grandsons Cole and Hayden Hughes.

Funeral services are planned for February 24, 2021, at 10 a.m., at the Pomeroy Nazarene Church in Pomeroy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church c/o Charles Woody, P.O. Box 127, or Eastern Washington Ag Museum c/o Jay Franks, P.O. Box 326, both Pomeroy, WA, 99347.

Please sign the on-line Book of Memories at http://www.merchantfuneralhome.com.