Obituary of Patricia Bryan Whyte Edington

Patricia Bryan Whyte Edington - known to one and all as Trisha, was born on January 23, 1943, and returned to the arms of her Lord on April 30, 2024.

There are so many stories that we could tell about Trisha. We hope to pay homage to her by sharing with you what an inspiration she has been to all of us: her lifetime love affair with Howard; her lifetime of loving Jesus Christ; and the lifelong friendships she treasured. This tribute is to you, dearest Tweezie. Hope you approve.

Trisha is survived by her husband and the love of her life, J. Howard Edington; daughters Meg Sefton and Beth Hewitt, grandchildren Hunter, Penn, and Sarah Beth and 4 brothers. She was predeceased by her son, John David.

She never knew her father Horace Whyte, but always wished that she had. He died when she was 10 months old and then she and her mother moved to Shreveport, LA where her mother’s parents lived. Her mother remarried and from that marriage came four magnificent younger brothers, Frank, Bob, Bill, and David. Trisha had an outsized role to play in the childhood experiences of those four brothers and they all remain extremely close to this day.

Trisha graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA, and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where she met her future husband, Howard, during the first week of their freshman year. But it wasn’t until 3 ½ years later they had their first date. And Howard was her third date that night! It would be an understatement to say that Trisha was instrumental in Howard’s calling as a minister of the Gospel.

Trisha and Howard would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December of this year. In describing her, Howard referred to Trisha as “the great lady” and told everyone, “I believed she was the most beautiful girl in the world. And I still do.” Trisha and Howard engaged in a nearly sixty-year partnership in ministry where Trisha played a pivotal role in every aspect of their ministerial life together—in the United States and overseas. Howard preached in 46 states and 23 foreign countries. Together they served churches in Kilgore, Texas; Columbia, SC; Pine Bluff, AR; Orlando, FL; Hilton Head Island, SC; New York City, and Houston.

A Bible scholar in her own right, Trisha had a great love for both the English language and the language of God. She was a terrific teacher in both areas. When she taught the Bible, people flocked to hear her because of the passion she had for Scripture. And when she taught courses, like Christian doctrine, people were astounded at the depth of theology they gleaned from her mind and heart.

Oh Yes! Trisha will be greatly missed by so many of us who were moved by her faith. In her final days, while she could no longer speak, she found a clear way to deliver a powerful message to her family and friends.

She pointed to a picture of her son, John David, and picked it up. We think she was trying to tell us, “It’s ok. I’m soon going to see my beloved son, and God’s beloved Son.”

We bid you farewell, sweet Trisha. Thanks to your amazing resurrection faith, you could be fearless even in the face of death.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 3 pm at The Cypress of Hilton Head, 20 Ladyslipper Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. A graveside service will be held in the Columbarium of the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando on Saturday, June 1 at High Noon.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Trisha Edington Fund. Donations to this fund will be used to support TheWordMadeFresh.org and the John David Edington Scholarship at The Christ School. Donate Online https://nationalcharitablefund.org/edington/ Or Make Checks Payable to: Trisha Edington Fund c/o National Charitable Fund P.O. Box 540777 Orlando, FL 32854.