Edith Lee Casey

Edith Julia Lee Casey March 3, 1934 – November 3, 2025

Born March 3, 1934 to Lawrence and Edith Jane Lee, the youngest of ten children, Edith (aka Tootsie) adored her sisters and brothers and maintained close relationships with them throughout her life. In addition to her parents, Edith is preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Casey; son, Tim Casey; and grandson, Jonathan Casey. She graduated Wilson’s Mills in 1952, remained in close contact with classmates, and enjoyed their reunions for many years.

Edith and Harvey married on February 23, 1953 and chose to start their lives together on the same road they grew up on-Little Creek Church. Within ten years, the young couple bought ‘The Little Farm’ and gave birth to Julee, Christopher, Matthew, and Timothy. They then took on another challenge and moved to what would become ‘Swift Creek Farms.’ The young family was blessed to be able to spend Sundays, birthdays, and holiday gatherings with both Casey and Lee grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

They were grateful to also be part of a tight-knit, caring community. Edith, Harvey, and the children especially loved spending time with Elbert, Betty, and Kay Mitchell and Bobby, Sandra, Tammy, Angie, and Joni Harper. Card games, helping each other with projects, cookouts, storytelling—their homes were filled with laughter, goodwill, and support. They also enjoyed Saturday night dances at the Moose Lodge with a large group of friends. Later in life, the friends Harvey and Edith made at Baptist Center Church were especially dear to them.

Edith’s inspiration for living came from her family, friends, and community and she gave generously to all. She had a childlike sense of wonder and enchantment; she considered all of nature and every person she loved absolute miracles to be welcomed, celebrated, and cherished.

Edith loved hosting gatherings in her home for family, friends, and her many clubs. In addition to being an excellent cook, she had a talent for decorating, an eye for beauty and charm. Parties, showers, birthdays and holidays, all observed with delicious meals and of course, her scrumptious desserts, filled the homeplace with beauty and belonging.

The gatherings became more frequent and the chaos sweeter as the children married. The family quickly grew to include 3 daughters-in-law, a prince of a son-in-law, and 8 grandchildren. She especially loved weekday afternoons when the grands were dropped off after school, treated to special snacks, played in the yard, and driven around in the golf cart or 4 wheeler. She felt her greatest blessing in life was to watch her grandchildren grow up, be Granny and Pa, and know when they went home they were loved, fed, and well-cared for.

Edith had an intense curiosity about everything; she mastered and shared every new endeavor. A genealogy class opened new worlds and led her to her beloved Smith Bryan Chapter NSDAR. Many sought her help and she happily shared ancestors, photographs, and stories.

Researching and preserving family history through the written word, pictures, family heirlooms and discovered treasures were her passion. Edith’s love of cooking, journaling, and friend and family history came together in her book, Memories of Food, People, and Places, published in 2010. Her book was featured in ‘Our State Magazine’ and was a love letter to her many friends, family members, and her beloved, beautiful America. She was also interviewed by Carl Lamm on WTSB before her book signings.

Harvey gave Edith a sewing machine for their first Christmas together. She taught herself how to sew and for years made beautiful clothes for herself and Julee—she also won lots of blue ribbons for those creations, as well. Embroidery was the first heritage skill Edith learned and she was an artist with a needle. Many of her quilts were embroidered pieces quilted together. She always told her quilting students, “Let your choice of fabrics and threads tell a story.” Her interview for the oral history project ‘Quilters Save Our Stories’ is archived at The Library of Congress, Folk Life Center.

Edith also taught knitting classes at Johnston Community College, became an accomplished weaver after visiting Crossnore School, made hundreds of dream catchers after a six-week trip to the Southwest, and participated in craft fairs. She made corn shuck dolls, teddy bears, countless quilts, toboggans, scarves, woven afghans; most were generously gifted to loved ones.

Edith loved volunteering and was involved with many organizations: Extension Homemaker Association, president of Swift Creek Extension Homemakers, district and state chairman of Cultural Arts Textiles, Committee for the Ham and Yam Festival, president of the Johnston County Arts and Craft Association, and was the first woman to serve as chairman of Farm City Week. She also contributed a great deal to the Heritage Center of Johnston County. Edith and Harvey received the distinguished service to Agriculture award. They were people of the earth, not straying from their roots.

After Harvey’s death in 2002, Edith maintained the homeplace and farm, with the help of Tim and Joshua, and friends, Tom and Jay Vinson. Hers was the first farm to enroll in the Johnston Country Agricultural District and she hosted a kickoff event at the farm. She dearly loved her home, farm, and community but sadly, Lewy Body dementia took her to Gabriel Manor Assisted Living in 2015. She made the best of the situation, became a favorite of the staff, and continued to enjoy outings and gatherings with friends and family.

Edith’s greatest gift was making others feel special. In her memory, please share some homemade treats with a friend or sing ’Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,’ or ‘You are my Sunshine’ while swinging with someone you love. Off-key is just fine.

Edith is survived by her sister, Ruth Hobbs; children, Julee Johnson (Gordon), Chris Casey (Wendy), and Matthew Casey (Eunjoo); grandchildren, Adam Casey (Amelia), Aaron Casey (Teagen), LeeAnn Ballard (Larry), Joshua Casey (Nicole), Daniel Casey, Parker Casey (Jenny), and Andrew Casey (Elizabeth); great-grandchildren, Brody Patterson, Carter Ballard, Bentley and Carver Casey, Liam Casey, Skylar and Harper Casey; Ayden and Declan Casey; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, and their families.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 11:00am in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service.

Flowers are welcome; memorial gifts to Crossnore Community Schools are also appreciated:
crossnore.org
Crossnore Communities for Children
1001 Reynolda Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27104