Rita Odell (Patrick) Edlow

Mrs. Rita Odell Patrick Edlow
January 5, 1936 – May 14, 2022

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
II Timothy 4:7

Rita P. Edlow passed away quietly and peacefully, on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at her home in Yorktown, Virginia.  She was preceded in death by her husband of more than fifty years, John S. Edlow.

Rita was a wife, teacher, and bus driver.  After more than forty years of service, she retired as a special needs bus driver for the York County School Board.  Most of all, she was a Mom.  She was the mother of never-ending love and support of David Edlow (Gerri), L. Regina Edlow, and Cyrus Edlow (Sabrina).  She is also survived by three grandchildren, Martia Cordell (Garrett), Zaria Edlow, Vanity Manning (Alexia and Aaliyah); a great-grandchild, Harper Cordell; a special niece, Joanne Edlow; and a very special nurse, Brianna Hill-Harris. Rita P. has a circle of friends she spoke to regularly.  Rita was the neighborhood mom.  If you needed a ride, she was always there.  If you needed an afternoon snack, just drop by.  She could often be seen in the yard or on the road catching up on the news with neighbors.

Rita was never seen without a smile on her face and was an immediate friend to everyone.  She was the family historian and was able to keep up with almost all of the relatives, both past and present.  She was a great cook and friend.  Relatives and friends would often come over to enjoy her pancakes, cakes, and other food goodies.  Once she met you, you were a friend for life.

Rita was also the last of the Patrick’s, for which the creek and road were named after her grandfather, an oysterman and the first of four generations to settle on the creek.  Rita was a life-long resident of York County and a Grafton Baptist Church Harris Grove member, whom she joined with her husband after leaving Shiloh Baptist Church in Yorktown.  She was also a lifetime member and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, PHA, Golden Rule Chapter #66.  She was a third generation of Stars in which her grandmother Maggie Callis founded the Order.

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