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At 104, this Salvationist dedicated 100 years to The Salvation Army.
Edith May Harrington, 104, was promoted to Glory Sept. 24 from her home in Surprise, Ariz.
Born in Coffeeville, Kansas, Sept. 13, 1910, Edith May Pippin was the ninth of 11 children. Her paternal grandfather was a Cherokee who walked the infamous Trail of Tears; her mother was of German descent.
Edith was a Salvationist for 100 years, starting at age four. She left school at 13 to work in the fields. During World War II, she worked as an aircraft engine mechanic at March Airfield in California.
At age 82, Edit completed her GED and began college studies. At 88, she participated in a geology course river rafting trip, and later earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts.
While living in Phoenix, Edith, then 98, was a welcome and cheerful visitor to the Veterans Administration hospital with gifts from The Salvation Army Community Cares Program.
In 2004, Edith retired with her son, John Webb and her daughter-in-law, Dee, to Surprise, Ariz. She became a member of the Sun City West Valley Corps and participated in women’s groups and visitation to rest homes. She became a regular member of the Silver Snickers club at the Fitness 1 gym.
Following her 104th birthday party at the corps, where she was “queen for a day,” Edith’s health started to decline.
Edith, who outlived three husbands, is survived by son John (Dee) Webb, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was conducted Sept. 30 in San Bernardino, Calif., led by Major Tom Ford.
